Thousands of Syrian and Turkish Kurds flocked to the streets to celebrate the liberation of Kobani from Islamic State (IS) militants.
Crowds danced and chanted slogans as they celebrated the news of Kurdish forces taking full control of the Syrian town. The YPG announced they had driven out remaining IS fighters to end a four-month battle that had become a focal point of the international fight against the ultra-hardline Islamist group.
A man holds a scarf that reads "Kurdistan is my everything, freedom is my aim" during a rally in DiyarbakirIlyas Akengin/AFPA boy waves a Kurdish flag during celebrations in the Sheikh Maksoud neighbourhood of AleppoHosam Katan/ReutersKurdish women celebrate in Suruc, near the Turkish-Syrian borderBulent Kilic/AFP
The victory in Kobani came at a high cost. "The city has been fully liberated," said senior Kurdish official Idriss Nassan, speaking by telephone from inside the town. However, he said that Kobani is "nearly destroyed."
The scope of the destruction will make it hard for refugees to return anytime soon. "The war in the town is over but the difficult task has begun," said Bali, an activist. "There is no water, electricity or sewage system."
A YPG (People's Protection Units) flies on a hill in Kobani, also known as Ain al-Arab, after Kurdish fighters expelled Islamic State group militantsAFPKurdish people flash the victory sign during a rally in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, following news that Kurdish fighters drove the Islamic State group out of KobaniIlyas Akengin/AFPFireworks explode overhead as people celebrate in Kurdish-dominated Diyarbakir in southeastern TurkeySertac Kayar/ReutersKurds perform a traditional dance in DiyarbakirIlyas Akengin/AFPSyrian Kurds dance in the Sheikh Maksoud neighbourhood of Aleppo after Kurdish fighters said they took full control of KobaniHosam Katan/ReutersPro-Kurdish demonstrators march in Istanbul, after Kurdish forces took full control of the Syrian town of KobaniMurad Sezer/ReutersKurdish people flash the V for victory sign during a celebration rally near the Syrian border at Suruc, in Sanliurfa province, TurkeyBulent Kilic/AFPKurdish civilians celebrate with YPG fighters in Ras al-Ain, SyriaRodi Said/ReutersA Kurdish man holds up a weapon as he is driven around the streets of Ras al-Ain in celebrationRodi Said/Reuters
Turkish security forces fired tear gas to prevent about 1,000 Kurds from crossing into Kobani to celebrate, Turkey's private Dogan news agency reported.
