This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-29429971

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Islamic State crisis: Heavy fighting on Iraq-Syria border Islamic State crisis: Heavy fighting on Iraq-Syria border
(35 minutes later)
Heavy fighting is reported on both sides of a key border crossing between Iraq and Syria, where Kurdish forces are battling Islamic State militants. Heavy fighting has been reported across a key border crossing between Iraq and Syria, where Kurdish forces are battling Islamic State militants.
Iraqi Kurdish troops are said to have recaptured the town of Rabia, but suffered heavy casualties.Iraqi Kurdish troops are said to have recaptured the town of Rabia, but suffered heavy casualties.
Meanwhile, IS fighters have been trying to dislodge Syrian Kurdish forces on the other side of the border.Meanwhile, IS fighters have been trying to dislodge Syrian Kurdish forces on the other side of the border.
It comes amid continuing air strikes by a US-led coalition on IS targets both in Syria and Iraq.It comes amid continuing air strikes by a US-led coalition on IS targets both in Syria and Iraq.
Information from Kurdish sources suggests Tuesday's strikes by two British Tornado jets helped the Kurds retake an "important border crossing" at Rabia, says the BBC's Clive Myrie in Irbil, northern Iraq.Information from Kurdish sources suggests Tuesday's strikes by two British Tornado jets helped the Kurds retake an "important border crossing" at Rabia, says the BBC's Clive Myrie in Irbil, northern Iraq.
These were the first British raids on IS targets.These were the first British raids on IS targets.
In other developments:In other developments:
About 40 nations are targeting IS, which controls large swathes of Iraq and Syria.
In a separate development, Turkish tanks have taken up positions along the border near the Syrian town of Kobane after several shells hit Turkish territory during clashes between IS and Kurdish fighters.In a separate development, Turkish tanks have taken up positions along the border near the Syrian town of Kobane after several shells hit Turkish territory during clashes between IS and Kurdish fighters.
The Turkish government asked parliament to authorise military action against IS in Iraq and Syria, and MPs are expected to discuss the issue on Thursday.The Turkish government asked parliament to authorise military action against IS in Iraq and Syria, and MPs are expected to discuss the issue on Thursday.
Also on Tuesday, a series of deadly bomb attacks were reported across Iraq, including the capital Baghdad and the holy Shia city of Karbala.
Suicide bombersSuicide bombers
Senior Iraqi Kurdish officials said their peshmerga special forces had made good initial progress during their dawn offensive in Rabia. Senior Iraqi Kurdish officials said their Peshmerga special forces had made good initial progress during their dawn offensive in Rabia.
The officials said that by nightfall, Rabia was firmly in Kurdish hands, although IS militants continued to hold out in just one building.The officials said that by nightfall, Rabia was firmly in Kurdish hands, although IS militants continued to hold out in just one building.
Rabia lies about 100km (60 miles) north-west of Mosul - the city controlled by IS. Rabia lies about 100km (60 miles) north-west of Mosul - the biggest city controlled by IS.
But the Iraqi Kurdish forces also took heavy casualties - including the loss of a senior commander - when three suicide car bombers blew themselves up among the Kurdish troops.But the Iraqi Kurdish forces also took heavy casualties - including the loss of a senior commander - when three suicide car bombers blew themselves up among the Kurdish troops.
The bombers are believed to have travelled from IS-controlled areas further east.The bombers are believed to have travelled from IS-controlled areas further east.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Irbil says control of the Rabia crossing and cutting IS supply lines are seen as important steps towards an eventual move to regain another important area that the militants overran in August: the town of Sinjar and its nearby mountain, from where tens of thousands of civilians from the minority Yazidi community fled for their lives. The BBC's Jim Muir, in Irbil, says control of the Rabia crossing and cutting IS supply lines are seen as important steps towards an eventual move to regain the town of Sinjar and its nearby mountain.
Militants overran that area in August forcing tens of thousands of civilians from the minority Yazidi community to flee for their lives.
The other side of the border is controlled by Syrian Kurdish fighters, who themselves have been coming under attacks from IS.The other side of the border is controlled by Syrian Kurdish fighters, who themselves have been coming under attacks from IS.
More than 30 Syrian Kurdish fighters are reported to have been killed as the jihadists took over several villages south of the border crossing.More than 30 Syrian Kurdish fighters are reported to have been killed as the jihadists took over several villages south of the border crossing.
However, the crossing itself is said to be still under Kurdish control.However, the crossing itself is said to be still under Kurdish control.
IS has recently seized large swathes of territory both Iraq and Syria.
What is Islamic State (IS)?What is Islamic State (IS)?