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Isis re-enters Kobani: Fighting between militants and Kurds restarts in key Syrian border city Isis re-enters Kobani: Fighting between militants and Kurds restarts in key Syrian border city
(35 minutes later)
Isis militants have re-entered the key Syrian border city of Kobani, five months after they were driven out in what was hailed as a victory for the US-led coalition.Isis militants have re-entered the key Syrian border city of Kobani, five months after they were driven out in what was hailed as a victory for the US-led coalition.
Fighting between Isis and the Kurdish militia defending the city has restarted, according to the UK-based monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.Fighting between Isis and the Kurdish militia defending the city has restarted, according to the UK-based monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Isis heralded the start of the assault overnight with a suicide car bomb attack near the border crossing between the town and Turkey, the group said.Isis heralded the start of the assault overnight with a suicide car bomb attack near the border crossing between the town and Turkey, the group said.
Hospital officials, confirming the return to violence, said that at least 12 people had been killed and around 70 wounded in the bomb attack and ensuing fighting.Hospital officials, confirming the return to violence, said that at least 12 people had been killed and around 70 wounded in the bomb attack and ensuing fighting.
#Turkey | Video posted by Anadolu Agency showing a car coming from west #Kobani to hit the border gate. pic.twitter.com/CxrXjJDyDv#Turkey | Video posted by Anadolu Agency showing a car coming from west #Kobani to hit the border gate. pic.twitter.com/CxrXjJDyDv
Two other attacks were launched at roughly the same time as the Kobani offensive, one in the northern city of Hassakeh, where militants were set to have captured some districts from the Kurdish YPG.Two other attacks were launched at roughly the same time as the Kobani offensive, one in the northern city of Hassakeh, where militants were set to have captured some districts from the Kurdish YPG.
Syrian state TV said Isis fighters captured and then killed several people in Hassakeh, including the head of a military barracks. It said Isis had itself sustained "many" casualties, including the commander of the attackers, who it claimed was a foreign fighter.
And in southern Syria, Isis engaged the Syrian state forces in a separate attack on city of Deraa.And in southern Syria, Isis engaged the Syrian state forces in a separate attack on city of Deraa.
According to Reuters, heavy fighting in Deraa was followed by army air strikes as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad struggled to hold on in the city, which lies close to a key border with Jordan.According to Reuters, heavy fighting in Deraa was followed by army air strikes as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad struggled to hold on in the city, which lies close to a key border with Jordan.
The YPG has been making gains in recent weeks and months - most notably when Isis was driven out of the key city of Tal Abyad earlier in June.The YPG has been making gains in recent weeks and months - most notably when Isis was driven out of the key city of Tal Abyad earlier in June.
And with its Syrian stronghold of Raqqa under threat, Isis appears to have launched the dual northern attacks as a "diversionary" measure, according to Quilliam's analyst Charlie Winter.And with its Syrian stronghold of Raqqa under threat, Isis appears to have launched the dual northern attacks as a "diversionary" measure, according to Quilliam's analyst Charlie Winter.
The removal of Isis from Kobani on 26 January made international headlines earlier this year, after a siege that had lasted a number of months. It was then seen as a crucial symbolic victory for both the YPG and the international coalition providing it with air support.The removal of Isis from Kobani on 26 January made international headlines earlier this year, after a siege that had lasted a number of months. It was then seen as a crucial symbolic victory for both the YPG and the international coalition providing it with air support.
It is almost one year since the anniversary of Isis declaring a caliphate across the territories it controls, and the group has threatened "something big" to mark the holy month of Ramadan.It is almost one year since the anniversary of Isis declaring a caliphate across the territories it controls, and the group has threatened "something big" to mark the holy month of Ramadan.