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Clashes erupt on Turkey’s streets, at least 31 people killed

At least 31 people have been killed and 360 others wounded in four days of violent protests in Turkey by Kurdish demonstrators. The demonstrators are frustrated by the government's lack of action to save the Syrian town of Kobane from a jihadist militant takeover.

Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons against a students in Ankara, namely those protesting in support of Syrian Kurds in Kobani at the Middle Eastern Technical University (ODTÜ) campus and at Ankara University. At least 25 people have been detained. Turkish troops and tanks were deployed to restore order. Curfews were imposed in five provinces.

However, the curfew was broken in the southeastern province of Gaziantep on Thursday night when clashes broke out between pro-Kurdish activists and their opponents. The rival groups attacked each other with pistols, rifles and axes, leaving at least 20 people injured.

Kurdish forces say they have stalled the advance of Islamic State (IS) militants in the town after more American airstrikes overnight.

Turkish forces are standing by near Kobane but the government in Ankara has refused to send them into action, or to establish a safe corridor to ferry fighters and supplies to the besieged Kurdish fighters. Foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu commented on the situation "It is not realistic to expect Turkey to conduct a ground operation on its own,"

Washington has suggested that Ankara is not pulling it’s own weight, but the Turkish government resents this. Cavusoglu went on to say that "We are holding talks ... Once there is a common decision, Turkey will not hold back from playing its part."

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ISIS chemical and biological weapon documents found

A laptop containing plans for the production and distribution of chemical and biological weapons has been linked to a member of ISIS. The laptop and its more than 35,000 files providing valuable insight into the Islamist State's inner workings. Within these files contained a 19-page document on how to develop biological weapons, including the bubonic plague. "Use small grenades with the virus, and throw them in closed areas like metros, soccer stadiums, or entertainment centers," the document says, reported Foreign Policy. "Best to do it next to the air-conditioning. It also can be used during suicide operations." US officials said the presence of documents on building biological weapons does not necessarily add up to an actual capability to use them.

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Western action against the Islamic State continues

Shia Turkomans living in the Iraqi city of Amirli have been cut off from food and water for nearly two months by Islamic State militants. The city has fortified its position and has been fighting off Islamic State forces since June. The US delivered aid to Amirli and conducted air strikes in the surrounding area hitting three Humvee patrol vehicles, a tank and an armed vehicle held by militants in addition to a checkpoint held by IS. The air strikes cleared a route in which Iraqi troops rescued 12,000 residents of the city.

Tony Abbott, the Prime Minister of Australia, has agreed to assist the US in delivering weapons and humanitarian aid to Kurdish fighters in Iraq. Australia will join Canada, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom in a multinational effort to curb the advance of Islamic State fighters in the region. The Australian government is not providing weapons itself but will be delivering the equipment supplied by other nations.

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The Islamic State has set it's sights on expansion 

The Islamic state has pushed to secure the border between Turkey and Syria to act as a gateway for its recruits to enter the Caliphate. The Turkish government is being pressured by British politicians to put a stop to crossing of new Islamic State recruits. Islamic state fighters have begun to move up from Syria towards the Turkish border. They advance in columns of armoured trucks that were looted from abandoned Iraqi military bases. 

Dr Hisham al-Hashimi, an Iraqi expert on Isis said "If [the Turkish border] is closed, it will cut three things: funding, an entrance for the foreign fighters and links to Europe which they are trying to open. If those plans are destroyed, they will aim for another gate to Lebanon." Islamic State fighters withdrew from areas north of Homs and have travelled east after a battle between themselves and Nusra Front, Syria’s branch of al Qaeda. The Islamic state has found opposition with western backed fighters in Syria and Iraq and also other Islamic militants like Nusra Front.

The paramilitary wing of the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) - which was once declared a terrorist organisation by the U.S. - is now fighting alongside soldiers from Iraqi Kurdistan known as the Peshmega. The two forces along with U.S. air support have been successful in slowing the advance of Islamic State forces in some areas in Iraq. 

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Iraqi civilians will remain on Mount Sinjar

U.S. called off their military mission to extract Iraqi civilians from Mount Sinjar. Further analysis has revealed there are less civilians on Mount Sinjar than first estimated. The air strikes carried out on the Islamic State militants has been successful in drawing forces away from the civilian population. Air drops will continue to provide the Iraqi civilians with food water and medicine.  

David Cameron approves British military presence in the area “So what you need to do is have plans that are flexible enough to respond to that situation . . . That is why the Chinooks are there. That's why our Tornados are there.” Both David Cameron and Nick Clegg have agreed on plans to join France in supplying arms to Kurdish fighters. Nadhim Zahawi, a Conservative MP said “The Kurdish president has made it very clear to western allies that he doesn't need their boys and girls on the ground. He just said give us the weapons and the wherewithal and the air cover and they will take this fight to Isis.” Britain and U.S. will maintain a military presence in Northern Iraq for the foreseeable future.

Up to two million civilians who have been displaced by the Islamic State’s activities still remain in the Kurdistan region. The United Nations declared the situation a Level 3 emergency, which is its highest level of assessment.

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Iraq

Obama has announced that the US is committed to intervention efforts in Iraq, favouring tactical air strikes over troop deployment. The US have felt it necessary to halt the activities of Islamic State fighters who have gained a reputation for killing civilians. Reports on Saturday suggested that forces from the Islamic State crossed into Lebanon from Syria.

The US have also taken a leadership role in delivering relief to civilians fleeing Islamic State fighters. 72 bundles of supplies, including more than 3,800 gallons of water and more than 16,000 packaged meals have been supplied so far. British military have so far stuck to a humanitarian role by providing airships to deliver relief to civilians. 

The Kurds of northern Iraq have taken in up to 1.2 million refugees since June. They have shown their support of the US intervention and have urged Obama not to let up in air strikes. The Guardian is following the story as there have been reports the US is planning to arm the Kurdish fighters.