In Syria, Kobani Overshadows Larger Battles

Although major news outlet coverage of Syria remains fixated on the battle for the northern Kurdish city of Kobani, this particular battle is largely a sideshow in the wider Syrian conflict. The battle has been notable in humanitarian terms, since more than 150,000 Kurdish refugees have crossed the Turkish border to flee the Islamic State's onslaught. However, even in terms of the wider Kurdish position in Syria — which is a major cause of concern for Turkey — the Kobani pocket is a small portion of the area populated by Kurds and controlled by the Kurdish militia group known as the People's Protection Units. Al-Hasaka and the Afrin region of Aleppo contain the bulk of Syrian Kurdish-populated areas under the control of the People's Protection Units. That Syria remains a dangerous country for independent reporters has ensured that the Kobani battle, which can be filmed from relative safety across the Turkish border, has gained undue prominence in the media.