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Kurds Again Repel IS Fighters In Syrian Border Town


Kurdish forces have withstood an assault by Islamic State (IS) militants on the Syrian town of Kobani amid continued air strikes by U.S.-led warplanes.

Syrian Kurdish official Idris Nassen said IS fighters launched a fierce attack from the east on October 18 before being pushed back.

Nissen said IS mortar fire hit the Syrian side of the border crossing with Turkey, the only route for Kurds to resupply themselves and for Kobani civilians to escape.

Some mortar shells reportedly also landed on the Turkish side of the border.

The fighting came as the U.S. military said it had carried out 25 air strikes in Syria and Iraq since October 17, hitting IS positions in Kobani and oil infrastructure controlled by the extremist group.

Meanwhile, Spain announced it will train Iraqi forces later this year to battle IS fighters.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP

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