Chairman of the Joints Chiefs Gen. Martin Dempsey said Tuesday that the Islamic State (IS) is changing its tactics to avoid detection--and he is "fearful" Kobani will fall.
Fighters for the Islamic State are closing in on Kobani, a small Syrian village on the Turkish border.
Dempsey told ABC News’ Martha Raddatz he had spoken with his Turkish counterpart early Tuesday. The official assured Dempsey that Turkish forces are defending their border as fighters for the Islamic State inches closer.
Still, Dempsey underscored the formidable threat the Islamic State poses to the region.
"ISIL is a learning enemy," he said. "They know how to maneuver."
Dempsey also warned the Islamic extremists are becoming increasingly tech-savvy and have stopped self-identifying. The Islamic State has stopped flying flags and establishing headquarters that would help the U.S. and its international coalition easily identify Islamic State members.
Raddatz asked about implications if Kobani fell. She noted a Kurdish intelligence official feared more than 5,000 people would be slaughtered in 24 hours.
"We think most of the residents have actually fled," Dempsey said. "I have no doubt ISIL will conduct the same kind of horrific atrocities if they have the opportunities to do so."
