IS Claims New Video Shows Cantlie In Kobani

Islamic State has released a new video purporting to show British hostage John Cantlie in the embattled Syrian border town of Kobani.

Narrating the video in the style of a news report, Mr Cantlie counters media claims that IS fighters are being driven out of the town.

He says IS has in fact gained control of large areas of Kobani, despite continual US-led airstrikes .

He adds that IS militants are "mopping up" against Kurdish fighters defending the town and that the weeks-long battle is "coming to an end".

"Contrary to what the Western media would have you believe, it is not an all-out battle here now. It is nearly over," he says.

"As you can hear, it is very quiet, just the occasional gunfire."

The 43-year-old photojournalist claims to be in an area of Kobani reported to be held by Kurdish forces, but says they are nowhere to be seen.

"Urban warfare is about as nasty and tough as it gets," he says.

"And it is something of a speciality of the mujahideen."

The Foreign Office says it is aware of the tape and is analysing its content.

Sky News cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video or whether the British hostage is in Kobani.

The five-minute, 32-second video, entitled "Inside 'Ayn al-Islam'", opens with what IS claims is an aerial shot of the town.

It then shows Mr Cantlie purportedly walking through the war-torn streets, addressing the camera.

He refers to several Western media reports published within the last two weeks.

IS has now released seven videos featuring the British hostage since August.

In the latest footage, Mr Cantlie is dressed entirely in black. In previous videos, Mr Cantlie speaks from behind a desk wearing an orange jumpsuit.

He appears to be in good health.

Mr Cantlie was captured in northern Syria in late 2012 while working as an independent photojournalist.

Family members have issued numerous impassioned appeals for his release.

His father Paul, 80, died last week, shortly after recording a final video message for his son's captors from his hospital bed.

IS, also known as ISIS and ISIL, controls large swathes of Iraq and Syria.

Since August it has published a number of videos showing the beheadings of four Western hostages.

They include British aid workers Alan Henning and David Haines and US journalists Steven Sotloff and James Foley.