Islamic State group storms northeast Syrian city of Hassakeh

BEIRUT (AP) — Islamic State militants in Syria have stormed government-held neighborhoods in the predominantly Kurdish northeastern city of Hassakeh, capturing several areas of the city.

Thursday's attack comes after the Islamic State group suffered several setbacks in northern Syria against Kurdish forces over the past weeks. The city of Hassakeh is divided between Bashar Assad's forces and Kurdish fighters.

Redur Khalil, a spokesman for the Kurdish People's Protection Units, or YPG, says IS militants attacked government-held neighborhoods on the southern edge of Hassakeh, and captured some areas.

Syrian state TV reported intense clashes inside Hassakeh's southern neighborhood of Nashawi.

Also Thursday, IS staged a new attack on the Kurdish town of Kobani, which famously resisted a months-long assault by the Islamic militants. The attack involved a suicide car bombing that wounded scores.