RT's Paula Slier, Irina Galushko, Murad Gazdiev and Maria Finoshina are on the front line on Syria's borders, witnessing the Peshmerga Kurds fight against Islamic State. We follow the live updates from our correspondents on the scene.
02 November 2014
RT's Maria Finoshina visited a small Lebanese village near the Syrian border, which used to be a base for FSA (Free Syrian Army) fighters battling Bashar Assad for years, and met with several Islamic State members.
"Our goal is to defend our Sunni brothers who are suffering from injustice around the world especially in Lebanon and the north," one of the fighters told RT, claiming they were in fact "peaceful people." He added that they have already recruited around 3,000 members and are getting ready for their fight.
READ MORE: FSA-turned-ISIS fighters tell RT they ‘fight injustice as self-defense’
"We do not kill journalists.They R messengers“ Our piece from #Lebanon@RT_com: Face 2 Face w/ #ISIS (Exclusive) http://t.co/wlvlVV5lxL”
— Maria Finoshina (@MFinoshina_RT) November 1, 2014
31 October 2014
The threat of Islamic State has crossed the borders of Syria to neighboring Lebanon, making Christians there arm themselves to defend their land and families from the extremists. RT goes to the Syrian-Lebanese border, to meet the militias.
READ MORE: 'We have to defend our land': Lebanese Christians organize self-defense to fight ISIS
"We protect our land from #ISIS" Our piece on militia from Christian village in Northern #Lebanon near #Syria border http://t.co/bEE2ySgHub
— Maria Finoshina (@MFinoshina_RT) October 31, 2014
26 October 2014
The Islamic State continued shelling the town of Kobani on the Turkey-Syria border after Kurdish fighters had managed to largely push the militants from the besieged city this week. Calls for Turkey to act against the jihadists are getting louder, but Ankara is in no rush to aid the Kurds. RT's Murad Gazdiev reports from Kobani:
23 October 2014
In #Okan village in #Turkey - looking at #Qaramoox village (Syria) with refugees from there now stuck in #Turkeypic.twitter.com/IgT9sAGJXx
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 23, 2014
Civilian in #Kobane tells me it's not safe to phone her - '#ISIS is listening in our phone calls' - we agree on other ways of communicating
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 23, 2014
Civilian inside #Kobane tells me via phone she's hiding in a place with her husband - everyone around them are fighters
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 23, 2014
Just got off the phone with #Peshmerga commander in #Iraq - he says the group hasn't yet left Iraq / they preparing to go #Kobane
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 23, 2014
22 October 2014
#Refugee children sing about their love for #Kobanipic.twitter.com/2nnYqovtqu
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 22, 2014
Turkey’s border remains closed for Syrian Kurds battling the Islamic State for Kobani. But if wounded in skirmishes and seeking medical help, Kurdish fighters told RT's Paula Slier they are forced to smuggle themselves over the Turkish border to avoid arrest:
On the lookout for #ISIS. pic.twitter.com/qNPy0ZqMUi
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 22, 2014
#YPG commander had to conceal his identity to get treatment in Suruc, telling #Turkish authorities he was a civilian pic.twitter.com/mpz7qvi60n
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 22, 2014
With #YPG fighters who say they want to return and protect #Kobani from #ISIS. pic.twitter.com/XWrc0KN3wu
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 22, 2014
Interviewing man in secret. He claims to have seen #Turkish troops aid #ISIS militants across the border. pic.twitter.com/yTLE42v5ul
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 22, 2014
We are 500m away from #ISIS territory. Currently in #Turkish village of Zahawani. pic.twitter.com/WN7C9oH3pj
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 22, 2014
21 October 2014
Former mayor of #Suruc Salih Tekinalp and his son were killed in an armed attack while in their vehicle, travelling on the highway.
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 21, 2014
20 October 2014
Explosions in #Kobanepic.twitter.com/2SzsFlQUDA
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 20, 2014
19 October 2014
A homemade Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) is not something you usually find in a backyard. RT’s Paula Slier visited an Iraqi blacksmith, who has been working 10 hours a day for 2 months, to help Kurdish fighters stop Islamic State militants:
18 October 2014
In Syria, it seems the lengthy siege of the city of Kobani seems to be finally breaking. Kurdish fighters have halted the Islamic State advance, and are slowly taking it back street by street. Fierce battles that had been raging inside the town have now eased, with just occasional gunfire and explosions being heard. RT's Murad Gazdiev reports from Kobani:
15 October 2014
On the path of #ISIS: RT reports from the frontline in Iraq http://t.co/iz8k6s5sA7@PaulaSlier_RT
— RT (@RT_com) October 15, 2014
14 October 2014
RT crews working for the English and Arabic-language branches of the news station have come under fire in northern Syria some two kilometers north of the besieged Kurdish town of Kobani. The group was not attacked on purpose, but was at risk of being hit by stray bullets amid ongoing clashes between Kurdish militias and fighters of the Islamic State movement. Nobody was hurt in the incident.
13 October 2014
There are few people left in the city of Kobani, near the Syria-Turkish border, but they are not being allowed into Turkey, said RT’s Murad Gazdiev, adding that if Islamic State militants seize the town, these people “will be at the jihadists’ mercy.”
“[Turkey] are refusing to help [for] political reasons,” Dariani, a Kobani resident, told RT. “Turkey has had problems with its Kurdish population for years, and it is likely that for that reason it wants to see Kobani wiped out.”
Another Kobani resident, Shukri, agreed: “Turkey wants to see the annihilation of all the Kurds, but that will never happen.”
“We are a strong people and we have our own forces. Unfortunately though, we do not have weapons… but despite that, we will defend our city,” he said.
12 October 2014
Murad Gazdiev is on the Turkish border, a stone-throw away from the Turkish tanks that are keeping a close eye on development in Kobani, where Kurds are battling ISIS forces.
Kurds protesting about Turkey's inaction to protect civilians across the border are being dealt with on the spot with tear gas Gazdiev says as he reports from the scene.
#ISIS militants fire mortar #shells at Dhilo’ya District.
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 12, 2014
The European Commission has decided to give 3.9 million euro ($4.9 million) of humanitarian aid “to help meet the urgent needs of the thousands of people” who are seeking shelter in neighboring Turkey to escape the Islamic State advance to the Iraqi town of Kobani, the European Commission said in a statement. “Over 180,000 Syrians have been displaced to Turkey by the fierce fighting in Kobani. This further adds to the impact of what is the biggest humanitarian crisis of our times. We are directing urgently needed funds to help the humanitarian organizations on the ground deal with the massive influx of refugees,” said Kristalina Georgieva, Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response.
11 October 2014
The battle for Kabani has sparked a deadly uprising amongst Turkey's Kurdish population, angered with the governments reluctance to help the people of the town. Reports say more than 35 protesters have been killed in demonstrations, as activists clash with police. Despite the unrest, Ankara refuses to act and prevents Kurds from aiding the besieged people - RT's Irina Galushko explains.
10 October 2014
Kurdish activists are demanding more help for besieged Peshmerga forces fighting the Islamic State militants in the Syrian town of Kobani, near Turkey's border, RT’s Irina Galushko reports.
“Guys here don’t have weapons, all they have are small arms, but with no supplies,” Ahmad Ibrahim, a Kurdish activist, told Galushko. “ISIS has the most advanced weapons, including tanks and rockets. We are empty-handed. We are giving our lives to protect our homeland.”
Despite the painful memories and constant reminder of their shattered lives, the refugees find the will to carry, on. pic.twitter.com/PrQoGPtgYg
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 9, 2014
09 October 2014
Refugee children curious about us - northern #Iraq/#Syrian border pic.twitter.com/PQ895OgwzX
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 9, 2014
#UN report on #Ieaq says a total of 1.8 million people are in a 'deadly, life threatening situation' pic.twitter.com/yRpMJ1cwyB
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 9, 2014
Field work -- @RT_com and @RTarabic in the field #syria#turkey border #Kobanê#IS#ISISpic.twitter.com/2DFt3Eabnx
— Irina Galushko (@IrinaGalushkoRT) October 9, 2014
It seems as there is further trouble ahead along the Turkish-Syrian border near the city of Kobani, with Kurdish forces facing an uphill battle to keep Islamic State militants at bay. RT's Irina Galushko says that she can hear military sirens and that they are ready to fire tear gas, presumably at the Kurds, who are angry at Turkish forces for not doing more to help stop ISIS.
Military pol starts the sirens, looks like about to start tear gassing us #Turkey#Syria border #Kobanê
— Irina Galushko (@IrinaGalushkoRT) October 9, 2014
Meanwhile, RT's Irina Glushko is nearing the Turkish-Syrian border and the city of Kobani, which is battling to fend off a sizable Islamic State attack.
5km to the border #Turkey#Syria#Kobanê#IS#ISISpic.twitter.com/4Lf1gXqd9b
— Irina Galushko (@IrinaGalushkoRT) October 9, 2014
Political analysts say that the damage between the Kurds and Turkey could be irreparable, if Ankara lets Kobani fall into ISIS hands.
Islamic State have been suffering some losses. Twenty-one militants were killed in Anbar, while a further eight perished in southern Tikrit. US airstrikes in Fallujah managed to destroy an ISIS checkpoint and an armored vehicle. However, Iraqi security forces have said that the militant group has managed to acquire two anti-aircraft systems and have already destroyed two fighter jets.
There are currently no schools operating in the Iraqi-Syrian border town of Zakho. This is because they have all been turned into refugee camps for families trying to escape the Islamic State onslaught. The refugees are in a precarious position, with no assistance at all. They have no blankets to keep them warm and are also starving. There is a stench of urine within the building, while there are mattresses everywhere in the classrooms. The vast majority of refugees have come here from Shangal in Iraq. One family at the school managed to flee Islamic State at 3am, only because they had a car. Their neighbors, who did not have any transport, were left behind.
08 October 2014
The #Catholic Patriarchate in Jerusalem claims several priests have been kidnapped in northern #Syria by Nusra Front brigades.
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 8, 2014
What it's like to be on the night watch with the Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.
RT on Kurdish Peshmerga anti-#ISIS frontline nightwatch http://t.co/mqfAUEI2wS@PaulaSlier_RT
— RT (@RT_com) October 8, 2014
Good morning…
Cameraman Sam Henderson filming from behind the sandbags - behind is a 'bed' where some fighters slept pic.twitter.com/d9zHFyJJBG
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 8, 2014
Islamic State militants have been detected about 3 kilometers away. It gets very cold at night on the Iraqi-Syrian border.
Being told they detected an #Isis vehicle moving in the village 3 Kms from us
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 7, 2014
07 October 2014
It's already nighttime and the sound of the bombs can be heard. Peshmerga fighters used to say that it was too dangerous before to come of the border posts, but when one fighter hears the planes flying overhead, "it's like music to my ears."
I must be mad but I'm sleeping outside behind a sand bank alongside #Peshmerga fighters on the border pic.twitter.com/2I8afXivCw
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 7, 2014
The sun is slowly setting and soon the sky will be lit up by the bombs blasting away at Islamic State targets. Most of the bombing campaigns happen at night.
Sun setting near #Iraqi#Syrian border pic.twitter.com/jt7v0cQ1xV
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 7, 2014
Paula meets a 19 year-old female Peshmerga fighter, who talks about her experiences on the front line. Most of the women only get around four weeks' training, while female fighters make-up around one third of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces.
My latest #RT report on the 19-year-old female #Peshmerga fighter. https://t.co/rlhgSoJeUj
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 7, 2014
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that Kobani is about to fall to Islamic State. The ISIS flag has already been raised on the outskirts of the city and 2,000 people have been evacuated, as it is being besieged by around 9,000 militant fighters, who are killing anyone who shows any resistance.
People heartbroken by reports coming out of #Kobani - soldiers here waiting for orders - probably will move on to #Shingal in next few days
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 7, 2014
The Kurdish President, Masoud Barzani, has asked Erdogan to let the Peshmerga Kurds cross into Turkey from Iraq, so they can help defend the city of Kobani. Meanwhile, there has been unrest on the Syrian side of the Turkish border, as Kurds are clashing with Turkish troops, angry at their inactivity. Turkey's forces respond by firing a water cannon at the protesters.
The motto of the of the all women fighters is "have," which means friendship. All the women say they have the full support of their families, despite being on the front line in the battle against Islamic State.
#YPJ fighters thank me for coming to see them; tell me to tell the world they appreciate their help and this is a fight we share together!
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 7, 2014
The brutality of war and defending one's homeland…
#Peshmerger Brigadier-General says one of the 4 #YPJ fighters who helped his men escape, was killed by #ISIS the next day
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 7, 2014
Some of the first fighters Paula encounters are female fighters, who are trying to swell the ranks and add extra support in the fight against Islamic State. Some are as young as just 18, while others are in their 40s. However, they have a clear goal of defending their homeland for their people.
#YPJ#Kurdish women fighters on the frontline - they say they're fighting for their people and their land pic.twitter.com/09nFh6ERvG
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 7, 2014
Many of the female fighters had never picked up a gun before the Islamic State onslaught started. However, their male colleagues are now adamant that their female counterparts are now better shots than they are. One girl, who barely looks 18, says she dropped out of her final year of school to help defend her people. Their bravery is second to none. One Peshmerga brigadier-general said that four women managed to defend their escape route for eight hours, which allowed his men to escape to safety from Islamic State.