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Kobane: IS 'may soon take Syria-Turkey border town' Kobane: IS 'may soon take Syria-Turkey border town'
(35 minutes later)
The key Syria-Turkey border town of Kobane might fall to Islamic State (IS) fighters soon, an official there has told the BBC.The key Syria-Turkey border town of Kobane might fall to Islamic State (IS) fighters soon, an official there has told the BBC.
A flag appearing to be that of Islamic State has been seen flying over a building on the eastern edge of Kobane. A flag of Islamic State has been seen flying over a building on the eastern edge of Kobane.
The official, Idriss Nassan, said IS was now in control of Mistenur, the strategic hill above the city. The official, Idriss Nassan, confirmed IS was now in control of Mistenur, the strategic hill above the town.
Kobane has seen intense fighting over the past three days as Syrian Kurds try to defend the town.Kobane has seen intense fighting over the past three days as Syrian Kurds try to defend the town.
US-led forces have been conducting air strikes on IS positions in the area to try to slow their advance. US-led forces have been conducting air strikes on IS positions in the area to try to slow its advance.
There were unconfirmed reports of another such strike overnight. The Pentagon confirmed a fresh strike had "destroyed two IS fighting positions south of Kobane".
The IS militants have been besieging the town for nearly three weeks. More than 160,000 Syrians, mainly Kurds, have fled across the border since the offensive was launched.The IS militants have been besieging the town for nearly three weeks. More than 160,000 Syrians, mainly Kurds, have fled across the border since the offensive was launched.
Capturing the town would give IS unbroken control of a long stretch of the Syrian-Turkish border.Capturing the town would give IS unbroken control of a long stretch of the Syrian-Turkish border.
On Monday, Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg vowed to protect Turkey - a member state.
"Turkey should know that Nato will be there if there is any spill-over, any attacks on Turkey as a consequence of the violence we see in Syria," he said.
Thousands of civiliansThousands of civilians
The BBC's Paul Adams, near the border, says the sound of gunfire overnight was intense and is still going on, with large plumes of smoke over Kobane.The BBC's Paul Adams, near the border, says the sound of gunfire overnight was intense and is still going on, with large plumes of smoke over Kobane.
He says the situation appears critical for the defenders of the town.He says the situation appears critical for the defenders of the town.
Mr Nassan told the BBC there were still thousands of civilians in Kobane.Mr Nassan told the BBC there were still thousands of civilians in Kobane.
He said IS was now in control of Mistenur and that, in theory, gave the attackers a huge strategic advantage. But Mr Nassan said IS was not yet firing down into the town from the hill.He said IS was now in control of Mistenur and that, in theory, gave the attackers a huge strategic advantage. But Mr Nassan said IS was not yet firing down into the town from the hill.
He said there was shelling in all parts of Kobane, adding: "Yes, it will certainly fall soon."He said there was shelling in all parts of Kobane, adding: "Yes, it will certainly fall soon."
Mr Nassan could not say how long this would take, but added: "I'm not going to give up my home and my country easily."Mr Nassan could not say how long this would take, but added: "I'm not going to give up my home and my country easily."
Esmat al-Sheikh, head of the Kobane Defence Authority, told Reuters news agency: "If they enter, it will be a graveyard for us and for them. We either win or die. We will resist to the end."Esmat al-Sheikh, head of the Kobane Defence Authority, told Reuters news agency: "If they enter, it will be a graveyard for us and for them. We either win or die. We will resist to the end."
On Sunday a Kurdish woman in Kobane killed a number of IS fighters in a suicide bomb attack, Kurdish sources said.On Sunday a Kurdish woman in Kobane killed a number of IS fighters in a suicide bomb attack, Kurdish sources said.
Turkish Kurds and refugees have clashed with Turkish security forces on the border for the past two days.Turkish Kurds and refugees have clashed with Turkish security forces on the border for the past two days.
They are angry and disappointed at Turkey's perceived inaction over IS in recent months, as well as its refusal to allow them to cross into Syria to fight.They are angry and disappointed at Turkey's perceived inaction over IS in recent months, as well as its refusal to allow them to cross into Syria to fight.
Last week, Turkey pledged to prevent Kobane from falling to the militants and its parliament authorised military operations against militants in Iraq and Syria.Last week, Turkey pledged to prevent Kobane from falling to the militants and its parliament authorised military operations against militants in Iraq and Syria.
But it appears to have taken no action so far to prevent the fighting.But it appears to have taken no action so far to prevent the fighting.
Correspondents says Turkey is reluctant to lend support to the Kurdish forces in the town because they are allied to the PKK, banned as a terrorist organisation in Turkey.Correspondents says Turkey is reluctant to lend support to the Kurdish forces in the town because they are allied to the PKK, banned as a terrorist organisation in Turkey.
KOBANE KEY FACTS:KOBANE KEY FACTS:
Syrian Kurds battle to keep hold of strategic Kobane