Syrian Kurds nearing IS border stronghold, thousands flee

AKCAKALE, Turkey (AP) -- Hundreds of Syrian refugees poured into a Turkish-Syrian border crossing Saturday, fleeing intense fighting between Syrian Kurds and militants from the Islamic State group in nearby towns and villages.

The mass displacement of Syrians came as Kurdish fighters announced they are making headway toward Tal Abyad, a stronghold of the extremist group near the Turkish border. The Kurds are backed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes that have added to the fears of the fleeing civilians.

Some 13,000 refugees have already crossed into Turkey in the last 10 days, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Hundreds more could be seen Saturday on the Syrian side of the Akcakale border crossing, waiting to cross into Turkey.

A statement by the main Syrian Kurdish fighting force, known as the YPG, said its fighters have laid siege to the Islamic State-held town of Suluk, a few kilometers (miles) southwest of Tal Abyad. It said IS militants have "lost control" over Suluk and Kurdish forces were advancing toward Tal Abyad.

The loss of Tal Abyad would be a major blow to the IS group.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_ISLAMIC_STATE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-06-13-10-50-02