Syrian town of Kobani on 'brink of falling to ISIL'

(Anadolu News Agency)- Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants tightened their grip on the Kurdish-populated city of Kobani in Syria, just a few kilometers from the Turkish border, closing in on the city center Monday amid fierce street battles, according to local sources.

Clashes between Kurdish groups and ISIL militants continued around the city, also known as Ayn al-Arab, all day, and ISIL had largely seized control of eastern Kobani using heavy weapons, sources told The Anadolu Agency.

Sources said more than 2,000 ISIL fighters took part in the offensive.

ISIL militants, who otherwise control large parts of territory in Syria and Iraq, have recently been attacking the border town of Kobani from all directions.

Around 160,000 Kurdish refugees have taken shelter in Turkey, according to Turkish government officials in Ankara, since the country opened its border on September 19.