US-led coalition again pounds IS strongholds in Syria

Aircraft of the US-led international coalition again pounded positions of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organisation near the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani where heavy fighting continued on the outskirts between the radicals and Kurdish fighters, activists reported Thursday.

The warplanes attacked areas where the jihadis had concentrated southeast of Kobani, which is located near the border with Turkey, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said.

Meanwhile, elements of the IS and the Kurdish militia battled southeast of the city.

Late Wednesday, fighting erupted west of Kobani where the extremists, using tanks, heavy weapons and mortars, advanced to within some two miles of the town and took control of a telecommunications tower.

At the same time, the Kurds were preparing for a possible assault on IS positions within the city.

The IS began their attacks on Kobani two weeks ago and continues its advance despite airstrikes by the US-led coalition.