TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Massive fighting between Syrian Kurdish militias against Islamic State (ISIS) fighters to gain control of a strategic Syrian town has claimed the lives of 10 people, according to an observer group, as quoted by AFP.
Nine Kurdish fighters from the People's Protection Unit (YPG) and an ISIS fighter was killed in a clash near Ain al-Arab, which is located near the Turkish-Syrian border, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
ISIS militants are only around two kilometres away from the town - which is known among Kurds as Kobane - said the London-based human rights organisation which has a massive information network within Syria.
Thousands of people have been forced to flee into Turkey after IS launched its' offensive in the area two weeks ago.
Local Kurdish leader have requested the support of the United States (US) - led coalition to defend the strategic town. However, Allied forces have yet to launch airstrikes in support of the Kurdish fighters which are fighting to retain control of the strategic town.
ISIS launched the offensive to attempt to take control of Ain al-Arab, because if the town falls into their possession, ISIS would have complete control over the Syrian-Turkish border, reports AFP.
ANTARA | JAFAR M SIDIK
