IS attacks Syrian government positions

IS militants in Syria have stormed government-held neighbourhoods in the predominantly Kurdish north-eastern city of Hassakeh, capturing several areas.

The attack came after IS suffered several setbacks in northern Syria against Kurdish forces over the past weeks. The city of Hassakeh is divided between Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s forces and Kurdish fighters.

IS also staged a new attack on the Kurdish town of Kobani, which resisted a month-long assault by the Islamic militants before driving them out in January.