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           US Intensifies Airstrikes on Islamic State Group in Kobani

   by VOA News

   The U.S. military is continuing airstrikes on Islamic State targets in
   Kobani, the Kurdish city along the Syria-Turkey border that is at risk
   of falling to the militants.

   U.S. Central Command said the latest strikes Thursday targeted a tank,
   a heavy machine gun and several buildings used by the militants north
   and south of the Syrian city.

   Earlier, U.S. defense officials said Kurdish militias remain in control
   of "most of the city," known also as Ayn al-Arab, and are resisting a
   takeover by Islamic State militants.

   Kobani's defense chief, Ismet Hasan, told VOA the Kurdish People's
   Protection Units, known as the YPG, held off the militant group in
   fierce clashes overnight.

   He added that the IS group is receiving reinforcements from the Syrian
   cities of Aleppo and Raqqa.

   "For 25 days we have been resisting the IS with light weapons... [and]
   with the full determination of YPG fighters and the people of Kobani.
   We will continue resisting against IS terrorists but we need heavy
   weapons. If the U.S. can provide us weapons that are capable of
   eliminating their heavy weapons, like tanks and artillery, and continue
   airstrikes against [IS], we are confident we will be able to kill them
   all," said Hasan.

   After much of the local population sought refuge in Turkey, Kurdish
   fighters rallied to defend the city and asked for international
   support.

   U.S. and NATO officials on Thursday held talks in Ankara aimed at
   convincing Turkey to make a greater contribution to the global
   anti-Islamic State coalition.

   Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday at a joint news
   conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg that
   discussions about Turkey's contributions to fighting the militants are
   ongoing.

   Turkey's parliament has authorized military action in Syria and Iraq,
   but Turkish forces have not carried out any actions against the
   militants.

   Stoltenberg said the Islamic State group poses a threat to Syria, Iraq,
   Turkey and NATO nations.

   "So it is important that the whole international community stays united
   in this long-term effort. I welcome the decisive actions taken by the
   United States with many allies and partners and I welcome the recent
   vote in the Turkish parliament to authorize an even more active role of
   Turkey in the crisis," said Stoltenberg.

   He added that a no-fly zone or buffer zone in the region is not yet
   under consideration.
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   -state-group/2479095.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-intensifies-air-strikes-on-islamic-state-group/2479095.html