Islamic State (IS) militants have been driven out of the town of Kobane, on the Turkish border, Kurdish forces and activists say.

IS launched a surprise assault on the long-contested town on Thursday, reportedly massacring civilians, including women and children.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says 206 bodies were found, most with bullet wounds.

Kurdish forces broke an IS siege of Kobane only in January.

Meanwhile, fighting is reportedly continuing in the Syrian city of Hassakeh, about 270km (180 miles) further east, which was also attacked by IS on Thursday.

Troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and their allies are tackling the militants after fighting which, according to UN figures, saw some 60,000 people flee.

Overall, in four years of armed conflict in Syria, more than 200,000 people have lost their lives and more than 11 million others – nearly half the population – have been forced from their homes.