Coalition ramps up airstrikes on IS-occupied Kobani

The US-led coalition intensified its aerial bombardment of Islamic State positions in the Syrian border town of Kobani today as the extremist group fought street battles with Kurdish forces and reportedly rushed in reinforcements.

The battle for the town near the frontier with Turkey has emerged as a major early test for the air campaign aimed at rolling back and eventually destroying the extremist group. It has also strained ties between Washington and Nato ally Turkey over the long-term US strategy in Syria.