Kurdish forces have pushed Islamic State forces out of the strategically important Syrian town of Kobani.

The Kurds, backed by US air support, took control of the key town on Monday afternoon, ending a protracted, bloody siege that has gone on for four months.

The Kurdish troops raised a Kurdish flag above a hill overlooking the town, replacing the black banner of Islamic State, as they sensed their victory nearing.

Reuters reports that a monitoring group, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, are reporting that Kurdish YPG troops have retaken control of the town but are moving slowly through the eastern side of Kobani for fear of landmines left by Islamic State.

Following Islamic State’s capture of Kobani, thousands of refugees fled into Turkey.

The victory marks a major success in the battle against Islamic State. The assault on Kobani is the first official cooperation between the US and armed groups on the ground in the battle with Islamic State – a fact which underscores the importance of retaking Kobani.

Islamic State fighters remain in hundreds of villages surrounding Kobani