DHAKA: The situation in Kobane in northern Syria remains "dangerous" says US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel.

Fighting between Islamic State militants and Kurdish defenders continues, with more than 500 people reported dead in a month of conflict.

Hagel said that US-led airstrikes had made progress against the militants, but they still occupied areas on the town's outskirts.

The fight against IS in Syria and Iraq would be a long-term effort, he said.

US aircraft have bombed IS positions as Kurdish fighters cling on to the town's vital border crossing with Turkey.

Hagel, speaking in Chile, said: "We are doing what we can do through our airstrikes to help drive back Isil," as IS is also called.

Source: BBC 

BDST: 1038 HRS, OCT 12, 2014