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Kobane: New IS push amid US warning on air strikes Kobane: US and UK warn of air strike limitations
(about 5 hours later)
Islamic State fighters have renewed their advance in the Syrian border town of Kobane, as the US warned that air strikes alone could not save it. The US and UK have warned that air strikes alone will not prevent Islamic State (IS) fighters from seizing the Syrian town of Kobane.
A Pentagon spokesman said the US and its allies were "doing everything we can from the air" but there were limits to what the campaign could achieve.
Similar views were expressed by British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond.
A Kurdish leader in Kobane told Reuters news agency IS militants had entered parts of the city amid heavy fighting.A Kurdish leader in Kobane told Reuters news agency IS militants had entered parts of the city amid heavy fighting.
The US military said its latest strikes had destroyed IS positions, but that Kobane "could be taken" by the group. Seizing the town would give IS jihadists full control of a long stretch of the Syrian-Turkish border.
Seizing the town would give the IS jihadists full control of a long stretch of the Syrian-Turkish border.
The US also appeared to be at odds with allies over a Turkish idea to create a buffer zone or safe haven along the border.The US also appeared to be at odds with allies over a Turkish idea to create a buffer zone or safe haven along the border.
Three weeks of fighting over Kobane has cost the lives of 400 people, and forced more than 160,000 Syrians to flee across the border to Turkey. Three weeks of fighting over Kobane has cost the lives of at least 400 people, and forced more than 160,000 Syrians to flee across the border to Turkey.
'Steeling ourselves' 'No effective partner'
Asya Abdullah, a co-leader of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party representing Syrian Kurds in Kobane, said: "Tonight [Islamic State] has entered two districts with heavy weapons, including tanks. Civilians may have died because there are very intense clashes." "Air strikes alone are not going to save the town of Kobane," Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm John Kirby said. "We know that and we've been saying that over and over again."
At the scene: Paul Adams, BBC world affairs correspondent He said that ultimately rebel fighters in Syria and Iraqi troops would have to defeat IS militants, but it would take time.
The images are powerful enough, but the sound is sometimes overwhelming. At times today, it seemed the entire eastern side of Kobane was one vast street battle. It was relentless. Thick clouds of smoke drifted across the town as grenades exploded. "We don't have a willing, capable, effective partner on the ground inside Syria right now," he said, warning that other towns could also fall to IS.
And all day, another series of massive air strikes; each towering black cloud greeted with delighted cheering by Turkish Kurds who have come to watch, with mounting dread, the assault on their Syrian cousins across the fence. Likewise, Mr Hammond said that it was "never envisaged" that the use of air power "in this battle would turn the tide in the short-term".
In groups large and small, they gather as close to the fence as they can get, shouting chants of defiance and solidarity. They are furious with Turkey for what they believe is Ankara's complicity in the rise of Islamic State. "I don't want to suggest that there is anything readily that the coalition can do that will make a fundamental difference... in the tactical situation that's faced around Kobane," he said.
Another official there said IS had seized some buildings in the east and that there was fierce fighting with Kurdish resistance forces. Asya Abdullah, a co-leader of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party representing Syrian Kurds in Kobane, said that on Wednesday night IS entered two districts of Kobane with heavy weapons, including tanks.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said IS forces had advanced around 100m (109 yards) towards the town centre on Wednesday evening. "Civilians may have died because there are very intense clashes," he said. Another official there said IS had seized some buildings in the east and that there was fierce fighting with Kurdish forces.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said IS had advanced about 100m (320ft) towards the town centre on Wednesday evening.
It added that IS was bringing in reinforcements from its stronghold in Raqqa province.It added that IS was bringing in reinforcements from its stronghold in Raqqa province.
The US Central Command said in a statement late on Wednesday that eight coalition air strikes had hit targets in Kobane. It said five IS armed vehicles, an IS supply depot and other buildings had been destroyed.The US Central Command said in a statement late on Wednesday that eight coalition air strikes had hit targets in Kobane. It said five IS armed vehicles, an IS supply depot and other buildings had been destroyed.
The statement added: "Indications are that Kurdish militia there continue to control most of the city and are holding out" against IS.
But in a separate news briefing, Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm John Kirby said air strikes alone were "not going to save the town of Kobane."
The US is training moderate Syrian rebels in Saudi Arabia to provide a ground force, but this could be months away.
When asked if this meant Syrian towns could fall to IS, Mr Kirby said: "We all need to prepare ourselves for the reality that other towns and villages and perhaps Kobane will be taken by IS."
US Secretary of State John Kerry said the US was deeply concerned about the people of Kobane.
But he added: "Horrific as it is to watch the violence, it is important to keep in mind the US strategic objective" - which, he added, was to deprive IS of command-and-control centres and the infrastructure to carry out attacks.
The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Martin Dempsey, told ABC News that IS was becoming "more savvy".The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Martin Dempsey, told ABC News that IS was becoming "more savvy".
"We have been striking when we can. They don't fly flags and move around in large convoys the way they did. They don't establish headquarters that are visible or identifiable.""We have been striking when we can. They don't fly flags and move around in large convoys the way they did. They don't establish headquarters that are visible or identifiable."
Meanwhile Turkey remains under intense pressure to do more to help the Kurdish forces in Kobane. Meanwhile, Turkey remains under intense pressure to do more to help Kurdish forces in Kobane.
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and President Obama's envoys to the coalition against IS are in Ankara for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on possible Turkish action.
In a BBC interview a senior Kurdish politician in Turkey, Meral Daniss Bestas, called for "a safe corridor for Kurds to supply arms and humanitarian aid to Kobane".In a BBC interview a senior Kurdish politician in Turkey, Meral Daniss Bestas, called for "a safe corridor for Kurds to supply arms and humanitarian aid to Kobane".
At least 19 people have been killed in Kurdish protests over Turkey's role.At least 19 people have been killed in Kurdish protests over Turkey's role.
Kurds are angry that Turkey has prevented Kurdish fighters crossing the border to battle IS in Kobane. Kurds are angry that Turkey has prevented Kurdish fighters crossing the border to fight IS in Kobane and some protesters want it to take military action against IS.
Fighting between police and demonstrators continued in Istanbul throughout Wednesday night, with protesters congregating in mostly Kurdish districts.
Protesters hurled petrol bombs at police, who responded with water cannon and tear gas.
Last week Turkey's parliament also authorised military action against the jihadists in Iraq and Syria, but so far no action has been taken.Last week Turkey's parliament also authorised military action against the jihadists in Iraq and Syria, but so far no action has been taken.
Turkey insists that a buffer zone be set up on the Turkish border inside Syria, enforced by a no-fly zone to ensure security and ease the refugee influx into Turkey.Turkey insists that a buffer zone be set up on the Turkish border inside Syria, enforced by a no-fly zone to ensure security and ease the refugee influx into Turkey.
France on Wednesday threw its weight behind the buffer zone and UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said he was "exploring" the issue as well. However the White House has said that it does not support the idea.
However, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters: "It's not something that is under consideration right now."
Are you in or near Kobane? Get in contact by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in or near Kobane? Get in contact by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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