Iraq's Kurdish Peshmerga forces and moderate Syrian militia have joined the fight against an Islamic State advance in Kobani on Saturday, a move that could tip the scales in favor of Kurds in the struggle for control over the embattled border city.

The conflict in Kobani, which has been raging on for over 50 days, has become crucial in determining the U.S.-led coalition's ability to repel the advance of Islamic State.

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The arrival of the Kurdish Peshmerga and the FSA have bolstered efforts to defend the besieged town after weeks of U.S.-led air strikes appeared to have only slowed down the Islamic State's advance.

According to Kobani Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Idriss Nassan, the Peshmerga made a significant contribution in the fight, particularly in weapons support.

Initially, the Kurds had no weapons but with the assistance of the Peshmerga, the fight for the city will be different, Nassan said.

Over 150 Peshmerga troops on Saturday joined the People's Protection Units (YPG) and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and launched coordinated attacks targeting Islamic State positions, the International Business Times India reported.

The joint attacks, mostly concentrated in western Kobani, were intended to wrest control of the Girke Kobane road away from Islamic State militants. The road provides strategic access in and around the city.

The Peshmerga's Maj. Gen. Abdul Majid Haji said their forces suffered zero casualties. The same could not be said for the Islamic State as dozens were killed and several military-seized vehicles destroyed, Haji added.

However, even as the Kurds enjoyed a small victory in Kobani, other areas in the region were not as fortunate.

Last week, more than 300 Sunnis were executed in Baghdad for refusing to submit to the militant group after their village was besieged. In Syria, Islamic State militants seized two gas fields, Reuters relayed.

TagsPeshmerga, Kurdish fighters, ISIS, ISIL, Kobani, anti-ISIS coalition