IS pushed back by Kobane airstrikes: Kurdish official

'Before they were in control of 30% of Kobane and now they control less than 20%,' adds official

ANKARA: A Kurdish official in Kobane said Thursday that US-led airstrikes have successfully pushed back Islamic State insurgents from parts of the besieged Syrian town.

"The international coalition has fought ISIS more effectively during the last few days," Nassen told AFP by telephone, using an alternative name for IS.

"Before they (IS) were in control of 30 percent of Kobane and now they control less than 20 percent thanks to the international coalition," he said.

Nassen said Kurdish forces were "flushing out" IS fighters from the eastern and southeastern parts of the town on the border with Turkey, calling for more military assistance.

"We need more airstrikes, as well as weaponry and ammunition to fight them on the ground," he said.