Thousands of people have attempted to flee the across the border to escape ISIS at Tal Abyad after hearing Kurdish militia were advancing towards the town, where they fear there could be a bloodbath.

However, their escape route was blocked by heavily armed members of the terror group, who rounded up those trying to flee and marched them back into Syria.

The jihadists could then be seen revelling as the Syrians were then made to turn back with their suitcases and belongings into to the ISIS-held territory.

Meanwhile, Turkish troops watched on helplessly as the civilians were almost within touching distance of the town of Akcakale.

The men, women and children were stopped at gunpoint almost within touching distance of the border town of Akcakale.

It is thought that ISIS are keen to force civilians to stay in Syria as they fear US-led coalition forces may launch airstrikes on Tal Abyad.

If civilians still remain, they believe, the coalition would be reluctant to bomb the area.

It came before refugees waiting at the border cheered in delight as they heard that Kurdish militia were making headway towards the ISIS stronghold before attempting to battle through the barbed wire which separates Syria from Turkey.

It came after the Kurdish forces seized at least 20 villages southwest of the border town, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Rami Abdel Rahman, Observatory director, said: 'They [Kurdish forces] are on the eastern outskirts of Tal Abyad, but the southwestern front is much more difficult because it's more populated.'

Arin Shekhmos, a Kurdish activist who visits the front line daily, said the area's mixed population of Kurds and Arabs was seeking refuge wherever it could.

He said: 'Tal Abyad is almost completely surrounded.'

Pictures showed thousands of would-be refugees queuing behind the barbed wire seeking asylum. They later could be seen breaking their way through the metal fence, with many crying in desperation as they tried to cross over into Turkey.

Women clutching their children could be seen climbing through the fence after the refugees charged and found a gap in which they could slip through.

Earlier today, a Kurdish activist in the symbolic battleground town of Kobane, which was liberated from ISIS by the Kurds earlier this year, said authorities had set up a camp for the displaced.

(dailymail.co.uk)