Black clouds mark the horizon near the Syrian border with Turkey -- a now familiar signature of the battle for control of Kobani.
Turkey has so far, resisted calls to intervene, but now U.N. envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura is appealing to Ankara for help.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UN SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SYRIA, STAFFAN DE MISTURA, SAYING:
"If Kobani Ayn al-Arab falls, there will be close to 400 kilometers of the Turkish border to be basically under control of ISIL, out of the 900. And what will be next? Other villages? Even Aleppo? "
The envoy says it is no secret what will happen if Islamic State - or ISIL - gains control of the town
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UN SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SYRIA, STAFFAN DE MISTURA, SAYING:
"We know, we have seen it, what ISIL is capable of doing, when they take over a city. We know what they are capable of doing with their own victims, women, children, minorities and hostages. After Mosul, this time this is announced, and one reaso