KOBANE: ISLAMIC STATE BATTLES TO ENCIRCLE SYRIAN KURDS (STA BREAKING NEWS and ARCHIVES)

by STANews , Saturday, October 11, 2014, 12:18

Turkish forces are ranged on the border but have not crossed

Gunfire and explosions can be heard from the Syrian border town of Kobane where Islamic State fighters are trying to encircle its Kurdish defenders.

The Kurds repulsed a pre-dawn attack and still control the town's border crossing point with Turkey.

The crossing point is a vital supply and exit route, correspondents say.

In Iraq, officials in Anbar province reportedly made an urgent appeal for military help against IS, warning the region could be overrrun.

The US-led coalition is continuing air strikes against IS in both Iraq and Syria but the Kurds in Kobane say they urgently need more weapons and ammunition.

The US has itself said that air strikes alone may not be able to save the town.

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http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29581728