MURSITPINAR, Turkey — ISIS fighters advanced into the south west of the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani overnight, a monitoring group said Tuesday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the militants took several buildings to gain attacking positions from two sides of the city, which is six miles from the Turkish border and has been besieged for more than two weeks. The prospect that the town could fall to ISIS has increased pressure on Turkey to join an international coalition to fight ISIS.
Two air strikes hit the area Tuesday and sporadic gunfire could be heard. ISIS fighters were using heavy weapons and shells to hit Kobani, senior Kurdish official Asya Abdullah told Reuters from inside the town. "Yesterday there was a violent clash. We have fought hard to keep them out of the town,” she said by telephone. “The clashes are not in the whole of Kobani, but in specific areas, on the outskirts and towards the center." On Monday, reporters on the Turkey side of the border saw two ISIS flags flying over the eastern side of the town.
In-Depth
- Are the Airstrikes Against ISIS Working?
- Illinois Teen Charged With Trying to Join ISIS
- ISIS in Iraq Recaptures Sections of Dhuluiya Town
