SYRIAN Kurds brought in compulsory military service for men today to help ward off a push by Islamic State (Isis) extremists in the predominantly Kurdish areas of northern Syria.

The decision reflects rising anxiety that the ongoing Isis offensive could reverse gains made by Syrian Kurds in the past three years.

Kurds have carved out their own territory in northern Syria with President Bashar al-Assad’s government preferring to concede Kurdish autonomy than see this national minority back the opposition.

But things changed this month when Isis forces seized territories straddling the Iraq-Syria border and declared a caliphate.

Using advanced weaponry seized from Iraqi forces, the Islamic fighters launched an offensive against Syria’s Kurdish region of Kobani, capturing several predominantly Kurdish villages.

Hundreds of Kurds have travelled from Turkey to help their brethren and the conscription call is the next step for Syrian Kurds.