Airstrikes killed 553 Islamic State forces around Kobane, Syria

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- An increase in airstrikes by a U.S.-led coalition in Syria has killed hundreds of Islamic State fighters, the Pentagon reported.

U.S. Department of Defense spokesman John Kirby said Kurdish forces still maintain control of the border town of Kobane, Syria, largely because of 40 airstrikes hitting IS targets in the past two days. He added the airstrikes have degraded IS capability, and that the insurgents would have problems rebuilding their ranks.

"The more (IS) wants it, the more resources they apply to it, the more targets we have to hit. We know we've killed several hundred of them," Kirby said.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Thursday the airstrikes have killed 553 people, 464 IS fighters and 32 civilians, adding the airstrikes have become increasingly coordinated.

Turkish President Recip Tayyip Erdogan announced Thursday an agreement was reached to allow 200 Iraqi Kurdish forces, with heavier artillery and armor-piercing weapons, to travel through Turkey to reach Kobane.