Islamic State uses hostage for Kobane

Washington:The Islamic State has released a video showing British hostage John Cantlie apparently in Kobane, in a bid to disprove that it was losing the battle for the disputed Syrian border town.

The video, the latest in a series featuring 43-year-old reporter Cantlie, shows him in a war-damaged town, talking to the camera and rejecting US claims that the “mujahideen” are in retreat.

There is no indication in the video of when it was shot, but Cantlie refers to a news report that was broadcast by the BBC on October 17 and to remarks made by a US military spokesman on October 16.