Kobani in Ruins After Anti-IS Airstrikes

According to the United States Central Command, US planes conducted 11 airstrikes in Syria, including nine near the city of Kobani, also known as Ayn al-Arab, at the Turkish border. During the operation, the US Air Force destroyed seven IS operating sites, four alleged bases and one unit of militants, Reuters reports.

Above: Smoke rises from the Syrian city of Kobani, following an airstrike by the US led coalition.

The US-led international coalition launched airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Syria September 23. In Iraq, a similar military operation has been underway since August. However, the US used military force without approval from the Syrian government.

Above: US fighter above Kobani.

In summer, the Islamic State terrorist group declared a caliphate on the besieged territories of Syria and Iraq. IS had grown in strength during the Syrian war, where it fought government forces and developed a reputation as one of the most cruel groups.

Above: A man uses binoculars to watch fighting in the Syrian town of Kobani.

Kurdish militia forces have been protecting the city of Kobani for two months.

Above: Armed people, believed to be Kurdish fighters walk between damaged buildings in the Syrian city of Kobani.

Since IS militants launched an offensive in Kobani September 16, nearly 2,000 civilians have fled to neighboring Turkey.

Above: Kurds pray during a religious service for two People's Protection Units fighters killed in the Syrian town of Kobani.

The most violent battles are fought in the southern part of Kobani.

Above: Smoke rises from the Syrian city of Kobani, following an airstrike by the US led coalition.

There are currently more than 1.4 million Syrian citizens in Turkey, with over 200,000 living in refugee camps. Turkey has spent about $4 billion assisting Syrian refugees.

Above: A Kurdish refugee in a camp at the Syrian-Turkish border.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported Sunday that 1,153 people were killed during the two-month-long siege on Kobani.

Above: Smoke rises from the Syrian city of Kobani, following airstrikes by the US led coalition.

The Kurds, an ethnic group from Iraq and Syria, have suffered greatly from Islamic State violence.

Above: A Kurdish refugee child in a camp at the Syrian-Turkish border.

In Kobani, 27 civilians have been killed since September 16, among them children. The number of Syrian Kurdistan fighters murdered by IS militants reached 387. More than 700 Islamic State extremists were killed during the confrontation.

Above: Smoke rises from the Syrian city of Kobani, following airstrikes by the US led coalition.

Currently, IS militants control several districts of Kobani and dozens of villages encompassing the city.

Above: A soldier walks at a Turkish military outpost overlooking the Syrian city of Kobani.