It's the worst unrest in Turkey for years and with no immediate signs of subsiding,
the question on everyone’s minds is - What is Turkey’s next move?
ISIS have been trying over the last few weeks to take control of the Syrian Kurdish border
town of Kobani. The town is on the border of Europe and the Middle East and on the cusp
of an Islamic militant take-over.
Although Turkey has joined the US-led coalition against ISIS stationing tanks and military
at the border, many are left wondering exactly what it is they're doing to stop what is now
being described as a 'likely' take over by the self-proclaimed Islamic state.
Civil unrest has gripped the nation and raised serious questions about Turkey's future.
Despite the US-led air strikes this week, many people, especially the country's Kurdish
population are accusing the government of a 'sitting back and doing nothing' culture.
According to reports, more than 1.2 million people have fled to adjoining Turkey, including
many Kurds. Men, women and children have been forced out of their homes as the Islamic State
raised its black flag and continued their advancements and attacks on Kobani. It's reported
around 300 people have died.
And the United Nations have said only a few hundred people remain in the town
Intense gunfire and explosions could be heard from across the Turkish border. Thick plumes
of smoke could be seen from the border town of Mursitpinar where Turkish tanks and soldiers
are posted.
Riots and protests throughout the rest of Turkey has caused civil unrest as the countries
Kurdish minority backlash against what they see as the government’s refusal to protect
the besieged town. At least 25 people have been killed during street battles between
protesters and Turkish police, mainly on the Kurdish South-Eastern provinces.
So what action have the government taken? Well the authorities have imposed curfews
in at least five provinces....police have fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse
demonstrators who have burnt cars and tyres during riots.
Turkey's Prime Minister had this to say earlier in the week:
Protests and riots have already spread further afield to Germany and then Brussels where
around 60 Kurdish protesters forced their way into the European parliament building,
overtaking security in a protest against Islamic State fighters. There is increasing pressure
on Turkish officials to step up their game.
With international tension mounting and a seismic assault by ISIS to take over Kobani,
we're left wondering what Turkey will do next?
Although officials insist they don't want Kobani to fall, they have still yet to commit
troops to the fight - a move that many observers consider necessary, as air strikes alone will
not clear the Islamic State fighters inside the town.
Kobani is in the middle ground between Western Europe and the Middle East so who ends up
controlling this relatively small town could potentially have a major impact for the people
both sides of the border.