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-29515431

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Kobane: Civilians flee IS street-to-street fighting Kobane: Civilians flee IS street-to-street fighting
(about 1 hour later)
Islamic State (IS) militants are reported to have entered the key Syria-Turkey border town of Kobane and are engaged in street-to-street fighting with Syrian Kurd defenders. Islamic State (IS) militants have entered the key Syria-Turkey border town of Kobane and are engaged in street-to-street fighting with Syrian Kurd defenders.
IS fighters entered eastern districts, raising their black flag on buildings and high ground.IS fighters entered eastern districts, raising their black flag on buildings and high ground.
Hundreds of civilians are reported to be fleeing to the Turkish border.Hundreds of civilians are reported to be fleeing to the Turkish border.
Taking Kobane, besieged for three weeks, would give IS control of a long stretch of the Syrian-Turkish border.Taking Kobane, besieged for three weeks, would give IS control of a long stretch of the Syrian-Turkish border.
More than 160,000 Syrians, mainly Kurds, have fled the town.More than 160,000 Syrians, mainly Kurds, have fled the town.
Earlier a local official in Kobane, Idriss Nassan, told the BBC that the town would "certainly fall soon".Earlier a local official in Kobane, Idriss Nassan, told the BBC that the town would "certainly fall soon".
He confirmed IS was now in control of Mistenur, the strategic hill above the town and that there was heavy shelling. Kobane is now besieged on three sides.He confirmed IS was now in control of Mistenur, the strategic hill above the town and that there was heavy shelling. Kobane is now besieged on three sides.
'Sound of clashes' 'Limited weapons'
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the Syrian conflict, said Islamic State fighters had penetrated about 100 metres into Kobane. Asya Abdullah, a senior Kurdish politician and co-leader of the Democratic Union Party, is in Kobane and told the BBC's Newshour programme that clashes were taking place in three neighbourhoods.
It reported: "Urban guerrilla warfare has started and the fighting is taking place for the first time in districts at the eastern entrance, in Maqtala al-Jadida and Kani Arabane. She said: "There is fighting on Kobane's streets now. There are still thousands of civilians in the city and IS is using heavy weapons. If they are not stopped now, there will be a big massacre.
"The jihadists and the Kurds are clashing in the streets, between apartment buildings." "They have surrounded us almost from every side with their tanks. They have been shelling the city with heavy weapons. Kurdish fighters are resisting as much as they can with the limited weapons they have."
A translator in the town, Parwer Ali Mohamed, told Reuters news agency: "We can hear the sound of clashes on the street. More than 2,000 people, including women and children, are being evacuated. Turkish police are checking our luggage now." Mustafa Bali, a spokesman for Kurds in Kobane, told Agence France-Presse that 2,000 civilians had evacuated on Monday and that all civilians had been ordered to leave.
The US Central Command earlier confirmed a fresh air strike by US-led forces had "destroyed two IS fighting positions south of Kobane" but Ms Abdullah said the strikes in the area were "ineffective".
She said: "[IS has] heavy weapons and tanks, that is why our resistance has limits and we need more air strikes."
Ms Abdullah said: "The rest of the world is silent about this imminent massacre."
The BBC's Paul Adams, near the border, says this has been a long day of constant gunfire, with smoke drifting across the rooftops of Kobane and occasional thunderous explosions reverberating across the valley.The BBC's Paul Adams, near the border, says this has been a long day of constant gunfire, with smoke drifting across the rooftops of Kobane and occasional thunderous explosions reverberating across the valley.
He adds that the Kurdish defenders are saying that they relish the challenge, but this feels like the beginning of the end.He adds that the Kurdish defenders are saying that they relish the challenge, but this feels like the beginning of the end.
Our correspondent reported a steady stream of Turkish ambulances racing to and from the border, with many wounded people being treated in hospitals close to the frontier.Our correspondent reported a steady stream of Turkish ambulances racing to and from the border, with many wounded people being treated in hospitals close to the frontier.
In other developments on Monday:In other developments on Monday:
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 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 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.
But it appears to have taken no action so far to prevent the fighting. Correspondents say 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 KobaneSyrian Kurds battle to keep hold of strategic Kobane