IS Propaganda Video Places Hostage In Kobani

British journalist John Cantlie has been held by his captors since November 2012. (file photo)

The Islamic State (IS) jihadist group has released a video showing a British hostage apparently in the besieged Syrian border town of Kobani, in an attempt to counter reports that it was losing the battle for the town.

The video, the latest in a series featuring 43-year-old kidnapped reporter John Cantlie, shows him in a war-damaged town, talking to the camera and rejecting U.S. claims that IS fighters are in retreat.

U.S. Central Command reported October 27 that air strikes by the U.S.-led coalition against islamic State had destroyed IS vehicles and an "occupied building" in the town.

Cantlie was kidnapped in Syria in November 2012 while covering the civil war there. He has appeared in a series of propaganda videos apparently designed to influence media coverage of the war.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP