Thousands of Syrian Refugees Flee to Turkey

Thousands of Syrian refugees poured into Turkey on Sunday to escape the battle between Kurds and Islamic State (ISIS) jihadists for the Syrian town of Tal Abyad, as the Turkish authorities reopened the border after days of closure.

 

The Syrians, many carrying sacks of possessions and small children, flooded through the Akcakale border gate onto Turkish territory, an AFP photographer said.

 

There had earlier been chaotic scenes as some of the refugees crossed the border illegally through holes in fences, prompting rapid intervention from the Turkish army.

 

Turkey had for several days been blocking the Syrians from entering Turkey, saying it would only allow them into the country in the event of a humanitarian tragedy.

 

However, local officials in Akcakale said earlier that permission had been received from Ankara to allow the refugees into Turkey.

 

The decision came as Kurdish forces advanced on Tal Abyad, which is  controlled by the IS group that has captured swathes of Syria and Iraq.

 

A delay followed which Turkish television said was due to ISIS jihadists trying to stop the refugees from crossing the border into Turkey.

 

Chaos ensued with some Syrians managing to push their way through the fences away from the main Akcakale border gate to enter Turkey illegally.

 

Some squeezed under the mesh-wire barrier while others managed to climb over, throwing their bags over the fence, according to AFP.

 

Read More: Thousands of Syrian Refugees Flee to Turkey – US & Canada – News – Arutz Sheva