This is what Kobane looks like now

Strategic win ... Kobane has been destroyed after months of fighting which ultimately led to the expulsion of Islamic State militants. Picture: AFP/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

Journalists took a tour through conflict-torn Kobane, Wednesday, after the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) announced the recapture of the Syrian-Turkish border town from Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) militants on Monday 26. Large parts of Kobane lie in ruins following five months of intense fighting between Kurdish and IS forces, as well as numerous airstrikes by the US-led coalition of Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The empty streets are now patrolled by Kurdish fighters celebrating their victory amid spent shells and debris. It is believed over half the town has been destroyed in the conflict.

PULVERISED buildings, rubble-strewn streets, torched cars — these are the first images of Kobane after more than four months of intense fighting.

Kurdish flags now fly over the Syrian border town after Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) drove out Islamic State jihadists in a major strategic victory on Monday.

But the ferocious battle, including coalition shelling, has left the town on the Turkish frontier in ruins.

Kurdish fighters armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles patrol the streets, now empty after more than 200,000 residents fled across the border into Turkey.

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"Our heritage is our most valuable possession. But in the current conditions, returning home is simply impossible to imagine," said refugee Cemile Hasan, 36, through sobs.

For now it is impossible to cross back into Syria as police and soldiers have sealed the crossing near Kobane until further notice.

Although about 1200 IS fighters were killed in battle, US State Department officials warned the jihadis were "adaptive and resilient" and no-one was declaring "mission accomplished" yet.

Pulverised ... a Kurdish fighter walks through the wreckage of a building in Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab, on January 28. Picture: AFP/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

Destroyed ... Kurdish fighters walk through Kobane which has been destroyed after months of fighting. Picture: AFP/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

Demolition ... a Kurdish man stands in a destroyed building in the centre of the Syrian border town of Kobane. Picture: AFP/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

Tragic ... a shell is used as a vase in the Syrian border town of Kobane after Kurdish forces recaptured the strategic town on the Turkish frontier. Picture: AFP/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

Demolished ... the streets of Kobane are now patrolled by Kurdish militiamen with barely a civilian in sight. Picture: AFP/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

Rubble ... Kobane has been all but destroyed in the fighting between Kurdish forces and ISIS. Picture: AFP/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

Still smiling ... little Kurdish children stand outside their destroyed homes in Kobane. Picture: AFP/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

Signs of life ... a cat runs through the wreckage left by fighting on a street in the centre of the Syrian town of Kobane. Picture: AFP/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

Once thriving ... this picture shows what's left of Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab, after months of fighting. Picture: AFP/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

Explosives ... an injured Kurdish fighter sits near an exploded mortar shell in Kobane. Picture: AFP/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

Weapons ... Kurdish fighters work on a mounted machine gun Kobane. Picture: AFP/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

Camaraderie ... a Kurdish fighter walks with his child through Kobane, a Syrian border town. Picture: AFP/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

Demolished ... a Kurdish man checks the eastern part of the Syrian border town of Kobane after it was recaptured by Kurdish forces. Picture: AFP/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

Destruction ... a Kurdish fighter stands near an overturned truck in Kobane on January 28. Picture: AFP/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

Home ... thousands of Syrian refugees are desperate to return home, but there is nothing to go back to. Picture: AFP/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

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