Thousands flee to Turkey as Syria bloodshed continues

The continued conflict in Syria’s northern areas of Aleppo and Idlib province is driving increasing numbers into neighbouring Turkey, with many desperate to find work.

Disused transit point on the Syrian side of the border that now houses thousands of refugees who are waiting to cross into Turkey. Ruth Michaelson

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees most recent tally puts the number of Syrians who’ve fled to Turkey at almost 78,500, although the numbers of illegal entrants are expected to be far higher, particularly in areas where the border is extremely porous.

It is estimated that as many as 10,000 people are stuck awaiting entry on the Syrian side of the border, although a large number of Syrians without passports enter the country illegally.

Abu Khalid and Abu Mohammed, aged 25 and 28, spoke to RFI just after they had walked five kilometres in extremely hot weather to cross the Turkish border:

“Well, the plan is to find any kind of job they can work [sic], at least, just for food and shelter.”

The choice for those inside Syria is now to either stay and fight in the increasingly bloody battles engulfing Syria’s north or to flee and look for work:

“They say that the think that fighting Bashar al-Assad is ‘al Jihad’ or holy war, but since they’ve got families, it’s the “big Jihad” as they consider it to support your family.”