The United States air-dropped arms to Kurdish forces currently fighting Islamic State (IS) militants in Kobane, Syria, the US Central Command said in a statement on Sunday.
Medical supplies were also dropped from the US C-130 cargo planes along side arms supplies, in "multiple" air-drops.
"The aircraft delivered weapons, ammunition and medical supplies that were provided by Kurdish authorities in Iraq and intended to enable continued resistance against ISIL's attempts to overtake Kobani," the statement read.
The decision by the US to air drop arms to Kurdish fighters is likely to anger the Turkish government, which has resisted widespread calls to arm Kurdish fighters and to allow fighters cross the border into Kobane in order to help defend the city, despite the IS advance towards the country.
Earlier on Sunday, Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would not agree to any transfer of arms to the Kurds by the US, reported the state news agency Anadolu.
The US has so far conducted over 135 air strikes against IS militants in Kobane, aimed at helping Kurdish fighters defend the city.
"However, the security situation in Kobani remains fragile as ISIL continues to threaten the city and Kurdish forces continue to resist," the US said.
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Medical supplies were also dropped from the US C-130 cargo planes along side arms supplies, in "multiple" air-drops.
"The aircraft delivered weapons, ammunition and medical supplies that were provided by Kurdish authorities in Iraq and intended to enable continued resistance against ISIL's attempts to overtake Kobani," the statement read.
The decision by the US to air drop arms to Kurdish fighters is likely to anger the Turkish government, which has resisted widespread calls to arm Kurdish fighters and to allow fighters cross the border into Kobane in order to help defend the city, despite the IS advance towards the country.
Earlier on Sunday, Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would not agree to any transfer of arms to the Kurds by the US, reported the state news agency Anadolu.
The US has so far conducted over 135 air strikes against IS militants in Kobane, aimed at helping Kurdish fighters defend the city.
"However, the security situation in Kobani remains fragile as ISIL continues to threaten the city and Kurdish forces continue to resist," the US said.
Related articles:
IS retreat amidst US airstrikes, coalition pledges further support to forces fighting militants (16 Oct 2014)
Turkey denies air base deal as jets bombs PKK (14 Oct 2014)
UK troops to train Kurdish forces in Iraq (12 Oct 2014)
Kurds demonstrate calling for assistance as Islamic State advances into Kobane (07 Oct 2014)