The Syrian town of Kobani is seeing its worst violence in days amidst the continued advance of fighters with the Islamic State. ISIS has launched fierce attacks on Kurdish fighters defending the town with the help of U.S.-led airstrikes. In two major developments, the United States has begun dropping air supplies of weapons and aid to the Syrian Kurds, while Turkey is now allowing Iraqi Kurdish forces to cross over into Syria to join the fight. Turkey’s move reportedly came under heavy U.S. pressure. The Turkish government has been opposed to aiding the Syrian Kurdish PYD, which it considers an extension of longtime foe, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, the PKK.