Fresh images have emerged of fighting in the streets of Kobani on the Syrian-Turkish border, a strategic town under serious threat of falling to ISIL militants.

US-led airstrikes have attempted to stop the advance, but ISIL flags appeared above buildings on the outskirts of the town.

With warnings that Kobani could soon fall to the militants, France said it was vital to take immediate action. It says it is talking to Turkey to see what can be done, as pressure mounts on Ankara to also get more involved.

Hundreds are reported to have died in the onslaught on Kobani.

A Turkish-Kurd watching the fighting from afar said: “The US is giving military support, but why don’t they attack the jihadists in the east? They prefer to attack the western side. We don’t know what they’re attacking. We don’t understand.”

At the moment the US is the sole western country carrying out airstrikes in Syria; France and Britain have agreed to only help with bombing against ISIL in Iraq.

Tens of thousands of Syrians have fled the fighting into Turkey.