Islamic State militants have shot down an Iraqi military helicopter near the country’s largest oil refinery for the second time in one week, killing the two pilots aboard.
Iraqi forces have been battling the extremist group for the facility in the city of Baiji since early June.
In neighboring Syria, the Kurdish militia aided by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes have reportedly pushed back advancing Islamic State fighters in Kobani.
The three-week long battle for the northern town along Syria’s border with Turkey intensified in recent days, with the militant group closing in from multiple fronts.
Kurdish forces have asked for international support in defending the area, also known as Ayn al-Arab.
The United Nations special envoy to Syria is warning that Kurdish fighters are very close to no longer being able to fight off the militants.
Staffan de Mistura said Tuesday the Kurds are fighting with great courage, but that the international community needs to come to their defense.  He said other cities that have fallen into Islamic State hands suffer through massacres, rapes, and horrific violence.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said bombs are not enough and a major ground offensive is needed.  The Turks have so far shown no signs they are prepared to send forces across the border into Syria.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the three-week long battle for control of Kobani has killed at least 400 people so far.
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