Beirut, Oct 9 (IANS/EFE): The Islamic State (IS) terrorist group has seized more than one-third of the embattled Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani on the Turkish border after advancing through the town during the past several hours, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported Thursday.

The NGO said that the IS militants "slowly" progressed from the eastern areas into the centre of the town in spite of clashes with local Kurdish irregulars that took place overnight.

There were many deaths among the combatants on both sides, including a Kurdish leader, but an exact toll was not available.

Meanwhile, aircraft of the US-led international coalition early Thursday pounded IS positions in and around Kobani.

The US Central Command, in charge of operations against the IS in the Middle East, said Wednesday in a statement that there were "indications" that the Kurdish militias still control most of the city.

Earlier this week, the IS jihadis stormed the northern town for the first time since the start of their offensive Sep 16.