Kobani, also known as Ayn Arab, and its surrounding areas, has been under assault by extremists of the Islamic State group since mid-September and is being defended by Kurdish fighters.
Airstrikes on Kobani, Syria - Sunday, October 19, 2014

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Smoke rises following a strike in Kobani, Syria, during fighting between Syrian Kurds and the militants of Islamic State group, as seen from a hilltop on the outskirts of Suruc, at the Turkey-Syria border, Oct. 19, 2014.

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The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), bottom, is seen relieving the USS George H.W. Bush in the Arabian Gulf, Oct. 18, 2014. The George H.W. Bush will soon depart for its homeport at Norfolk, Va., and Carl Vinson will take over support of maritime security operations, strike operations in Iraq and Syria.