Peshmerga forces heading for Kobanê are being kept waiting in the border area as civilians have been prevented from accessing the border gate and hills overlooking Kobanê.

As ISIS attacks on Kobanê continue, the first group of peshmerga has arrived in Suruç, where there is intensive military activity. The group of 85 fighters were brought from the Urfa GAP airport at around 02.30 in the morning, and are being kept waiting at the Çukobirlik site on the road leading to the  Mürşitpınar border post. In the area where the peshmerga are situated there are Turkish special forces, riot police and many armoured vehicles. There are also numerous vehicles of media companies wishing to film the peshmerga crossing into Kobanê.

Hills overlooking Kobanê and the Mürşitpınar border post have been put out of bounds to civilians. Four days after a similar ban was implemented for the Medresat hill, armoured vehiles have been deployed on the other hills and civilians are not being allowed access.

With the arrival of the second group of peshmerga later today from the Habur border gate, the peshmerga are expected to cross into Kobanê.