The Kurdish YPG forces, backed by U.S.-led air strikes, has driven deep into Raqqa province in the last two weeks, capturing key positions from Islamic State including Tel Abyad at the border with Turkey.

In an apparent bid to seize back the initiative, ISIS wrested positions from the Syrian army in an assault on the northeastern city of Hasaka, while also launching an attack on the Kurdish-held town of Kobani at the Turkish border, the Observatory said.

Syrian state TV reported heavy clashes between ISIS fighters and the Syrian army and allied militia in the al-Nashwa district of Hasaka, which is divided into separate zones of government and Kurdish control.

The Islamic State offensive against Kobani started with a car bomb attack in an area near the border crossing with Turkey, the Observatory said. ISIS fighters were battling Kurdish YPG forces in the town itself.

An official in the Kurdish YPG said ISIS fighters were attacking the town from three sides. The Observatory said dozens of people were killed or wounded in the bombing and subsequent fighting.

Kurdish YPG forces, helped by U.S. and allied air support, retook control of Kobani at the end of January after a four-month siege by Islamic State.

In southern Syria, rebel groups attacked government-held areas of Deraa city overnight, and heavy fighting and army air strikes were reported in the area, the Observatory said.

Insurgents have made significant gains against the Syrian military and allied militia in the south in recent months, capturing positions including a military base, a border crossing with Jordan, and a town.

The southern rebels, who include the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front and groups that do not share its jihadist ideology, have long said they aim to expel Syrian government forces from Deraa city itself.

Syrian state TV said the army had repelled attacks against a number of military positions in the south of the country.

(Reporting by Tom Perry and Sylvia Westall in Beirut and Seyhmus Cakan in Turkey; editing by John Stonestreet)

---

Publish Your Own News • Opinions • Videos • Images • Journals

It's simple to create your own interactive news publishing site and share your stories from around the globe. Perhaps you're in the middle of the civil war in Syria or maybe you want to discuss what daily life in San Francisco is like. Or you want to share your opinions about global warming and current human rights issues.
Or maybe you have some ideas, tips or news about healthy living, relationships, or raising a family.

With a few clicks, you can create your new blog and start immediately. Our new editing feature makes it simple for you to add a title, format your content, and upload images and videos. Tell us what's important to you and each week we'll publish the most interesting articles on our front page. Our readers learn something new and it's a great way for your news to gain exposure.

Share your opinions, ideas, news and other interesting articles that you've discovered. We just ask that you attribute others' work (copyright) with a link to the site where you found it.

Create your account here and begin publishing today

---

Who Are the Kurds?

The 'Islamic State' suffered a devastating defeat on the Turkish border - A Significant Victory For Kurdish Fighters

---

Publish Your Own News • Opinions • Videos • Images • Journals

It's simple to create your own interactive news publishing site and share your stories from around the globe. Perhaps you're in the middle of the civil war in Syria or maybe you want to discuss what daily life in San Francisco is like. Or you want to share your opinions about global warming and current human rights issues.
Or maybe you have some ideas, tips or news about healthy living, relationships, or raising a family.

With a few clicks, you can create your new blog and start immediately. Our new editing feature makes it simple for you to add a title, format your content, and upload images and videos. Tell us what's important to you and each week we'll publish the most interesting articles on our front page. Our readers learn something new and it's a great way for your news to gain exposure.

Share your opinions, ideas, news and other interesting articles that you've discovered. We just ask that you attribute others' work (copyright) with a link to the site where you found it.

Create your account here and begin publishing today

---