IS advances on key Syrian city despite regime air raids

Beirut: Militants from the Islamic State group pressed their campaign Friday to capture Hasakeh, a provincial capital in northeast Syria, in fierce battles with government forces backed by air strikes.

"Fierce clashes continued Friday between regime forces and IS south of Hasakeh city. The regime is violently and intensely bombarding jihadist positions from the air," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The Britain-based monitor said the regime was using barrel bombs -- large containers packed with explosives that are dropped from helicopters -- against militants edging towards the city, which is divided between Kurdish and government control.

Since their offensive began on Saturday, IS fighters have advanced to the southern outskirts of Hasakeh with the aid of suicide attacks and heavy mortar fire.

Citing a military source, Syria´s state news agency SANA said the army had used "aerial weapons... to destroy equipment belonging to the IS terrorists".

The assault has killed at least 71 loyalists and 59 extremists, including 11 who targeted regime positions with car bombs, IS´s signature weapon, the Observatory said.

The militants, who have expanded their control in central and eastern Syria and in neighbouring Iraq, seized a number of key posts, including a prison and power plant. Hasakeh has since been left without power, local activist Arin Shekhmos told AFP.

Kurdish militia, locked in battles with IS in other parts of Hasakeh province, have yet to take part in the clashes south of the city.

"For the moment, the Kurds are not taking part in the fight as the battles have not reached their area," Abdel Rahman said.

A Turkish official said around 4,000 Syrians have sought refuge in Turkey this week, fleeing fresh clashes pitting Kurdish fighters against IS.

Kurdish forces launched an offensive last week against the jihadists in the border province of Raqa. (AFP)