Syrian troops battle to repel Islamic State attack on city

A Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) fighter stands on a lookout point on Abd al-Aziz mountain, Hasaka province, after they said they took control of the area May 20, 2015. REUTERS/Rodi Said

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian troops and militia battled on Wednesday to repel an Islamic State attack on the city of Hasaka in the northeast, and a Kurdish official said the government forces may not be able to hold off the jihadists.

Hasaka city is divided into zones run separately by the government of President Bashar al-Assad and a Kurdish administration, whose well-organised militia YPG receives air support from a U.S.-led alliance bombing Islamic State.