DHAKA: Heavy fighting is being reported between Kurdish militiamen and Islamic State (IS) militants advancing on the northern Syrian town of Kobane.

A BBC correspondent across the border in Turkey saw explosions and smoke rising from buildings hit by shells, reports the BBC.

IS has moved to within a few kilometers of the town despite US-led air strikes seeking to halt its two-week offensive.

On Thursday, Turkey’s prime minister promised it would do whatever it could to prevent the fall of Kobane.

Ahmet Davutoglu spoke only hours after the Turkish parliament authorized military operations against militants in Iraq and Syria who threaten Turkey’s security, and for foreign troops to use Turkish bases.

More than 160,000 Syrians, mainly Kurds, have fled across the border since IS launched an offensive to capture Kobane on 15 September.

BDST: 1742 HRS, OCT 3, 2014