The ongoing battle in Syrian town of Kobani is an important public test of US President Barack Obama and his strategy of collaborating the American air force with local ground troops to combat the Islamic State militants.
According to New York Times, for the Islamic State, Kobani is a test of its image of inevitability and invincibility, and a tool for recruiting jihadists.
The town is currently split between US-backed Kurdish fighters and the Islamic State.
Kobani is currently the main focus of many competing Middle East countries trapped in the regional chaos.
Syrian rebel groups whom Obama is trying to recruit to fight the Islamic State are reportedly angered by the sudden interest in Kobani.
The town has witnessed continuous bombings by US and its allies, who have been persistent in their fight against the Islamic State.