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                Fighting Continues in Syria Near Turkish Border

   by VOA News

   Fighting continued to rage Saturday in northern Syria where Islamic
   State militants are closing in on a Kurdish town near the Turkish
   border.

   Kurdish forces backed by U.S.-led airstrikes are trying to defend the
   town of Kobani from the militant advance.  Kurds have been struggling
   to repel IS militants for weeks.

   The assault has forced more than 160,000 Syrians to flee into Turkey.

   The coalition has been bombing the militants' positions for weeks, but
   has made little headway. Turkey has also vowed to do whatever it can to
   keep Kobani - also known as Ayn al Arab - from falling to the
   militants.

   The White House Friday welcomed the Turkish parliament's vote Thursday
   authorizing Turkish military activity against Islamic State in both
   Syria and Iraq.

   White House spokesman Josh Earnest also praised contributions by
   Australia, Denmark and the Netherlands to contribute fighter aircraft.

   He said the U.S. will continue to work with its international partners
   to expand its approach "to degrade and ultimately defeat" the Islamic
   State fighters.

   Australia's Cabinet approved the deployment of fighter aircraft and
   special forces to Iraq earlier Friday.

   Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it is in Australia's interest to help
   defeat the extremist group, calling it a "death cult."

   "Today, Cabinet has authorized Australian air strikes in Iraq at the
   request of the Iraqi government and in support of the Iraqi
   government," he said. "Also, subject to final legal documentation,
   cabinet has authorized the deployment of Australian special forces into
   Iraq to advise and assist Iraqi forces."

   The U.S. and some European countries have been conducting air strikes
   against the extremists in Iraq since August. Abbott refused to say
   whether Australia would also consider joining U.S. and Arab countries
   in striking Islamic State targets in Syria.

   Pressure has been mounting on Turkey as IS fighters close in on Kobani.

   The besieged town's defense chief told VOA a "large scale massacre" is
   imminent without international aid.

   In an exclusive interview with VOA's Kurdish service, Ismet Sheikh
   Hasan said Kurdish fighters defending the area have felt abandoned by
   U.S.-led coalition forces, despite nearby airstrikes in recent days.

   VOA's Kurdish service contributed to this report.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/fighting-continues-in-syria-near-turkish-border/2472408.html