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KURDISH MILITIA HAVE driven the Islamic State group from the Syrian town of Kobane, dealing the jihadists a heavy blow after months of heavy fighting.
Across the border in Iraq, meanwhile, a top army officer announced troops had “liberated” Diyala province from IS jihadists.
In Syria, the Kurdish advance in Kobane, on the frontier with Turkey, marked the culmination of a battle lasting more than four months in which nearly 1,800 people were killed.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) had “expelled all Islamic State fighters from Kobane and have full control of the town”.
“The Kurds are pursuing some jihadists on the eastern outskirts of Kobane, but there is no more fighting inside now,” said the Observatory’s Rami Abdel Rahman.
Kurdish forces were carrying out “mopping-up operations” against remaining IS forces in the Maqtala district, on the town’s eastern outskirts.
YPG spokesman Polat Jan also announced the news on Twitter, writing: “Congratulations to humanity, Kurdistan, and the people of Kobane on the liberation of Kobane.”
Mustafa Ebdi, an activist from the town, said the “fighting has stopped”.
YPG forces were “advancing carefully in Maqtala because of the threat of mines and car bombs,” he added.
The Kurdish advance came after the Pentagon said the US-led coalition fighting IS in Syria and Iraq had carried out 17 air strikes against jihadist positions in Kobane within 24 hours.
The loss of Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab, would be an important defeat for IS.
The group has lost 1,196 fighters since it began its advance on the town on September 16, said the Britain-based Observatory.
At one point, the jihadist group had looked poised to overrun Kobane.
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Would be great to overlay this report with one on how safe each area is, using criminality statistics.
I’m paying $2,000 (€1,350) for a 2 bed apartment in one of the nicest suburbs in Melbourne. 5 min walk to train station and in 10 mins I’m in the city. Yet the perception is that everything in Oz costs a bomb. Dublin you’re losing the plot.
The Aussie dollar has depreciated by 1/3 in the last year.
Not to mention that Melbourne is a 2nd tier city, Dublin is more on par with Sydney considerably more expensive than Melbourne.
Not sure where you’re getting your figures from but AUD v EUR is at pretty much the same rate as it was a year ago. Melbourne is a rapidly expanding city, voted the worlds most livable city in the world for the last 3 years and has had massive investment from overseas. There is no way the average gaff in Shankill should cost more. Sydney is a basket case like London and any comparison to Dublin is ridiculous.
Drew put the bottle down and go to bed! Melbourne a second tier city compared to Dublin?? I’m not sure I’ve heard anything more ridiculous! A population of more than 4 million people with great transport infrastructure and a great cultural scene! It’s an amazing city.
It’s cold brrrrr
Doesn’t take you long to pick up the attitudes of the attitudes and rivalries of locals now did it…
Nothing changes the fact that Sydney is the largest and most in demand commercial centre of Australia, likewise Dublin is the largest and most commercial centre of Ireland.
Fact is $1 million Aussie will get you 40sqm on the current market in sydney, while it will get you 90sqm in Melbourne.
Which would be useful if we were comparing Sydney and Melbourne. But we’re comparing Dublin and Melbourne. I absolutely love both cities but it’s ridiculous that you get more bang for your buck in Melbourne all things considered.
Exactly… You’re comparing rent in the second tier commercial center of a country with the first tier of another country.
The comparison is not like for like.
There’s no place like home though.
Pretty sure this article ran last week too. Is Daft not getting the clicks this month?
Last week was purchase prices, this is rent.
Oh hum – well it’s a free market !
There is no residential property within walking distance of the Citywest Business Campus stop so what are daft basing their figure on for this one?
The headline and lead make it seem as if there’s a strong correlation between distance from the city centre and rent prices. In reality, the differences are mostly due to neighbourhood type.
Should have bought an apartment in Spencer Dock in 2013. Would be 100 grand richer at least by now.
Many green Line tickets cost more too!
Renting lol
Negative equity lol
Having a fair society lol
Where are the 5 cheapest places to buy a home? I only see the 5 most expensive ?
have your say