Number of Syrian citizens sheltering in Turkey's south increases

GAZIANTEP/HATAY (AA) – March 25, 2012 – The number of Syrian citizens, who escaped from clashes in their country and took shelter in Turkey's southern cities, is increasing. Officials said that 124 more Syrians entered Turkey via Hatay province on Saturday, and they were transferred to tent site in Gaziantep city increasing the number of Syrians staying in the site to 1,523. Meanwhile, five wounded Syrians, including a soldier, also entered Turkey on foot. Turkish security forces took the wounded Syrians to Reyhanli State Hospital. The wave of "Arab Spring" reached Syria on March 15, 2011 and Syrian people started to protest the government in a small southern city. The government responded with heavy-handed force, and demonstrations quickly spread across much of the country. Thousands of people are reported to be killed in ongoing protests in Syria so far. Syria was expelled from the Arab League after it agreed to a peace plan only to step up attacks on protesters. In late 2011 and early 2012, Syria agreed to allow league observers into the country. But their presence did nothing to slow the violence. In February, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to approve a resolution condemning President Bashar al-Assad's crackdown on the uprising, but China and Russia have blocked all efforts by the United Nations, the Arab League and others for a more forceful intervention. In November 2011, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu unveiled a list of nine sanctions on Syria. On Saturday, Turkish Prime Ministry Disaster & Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) stated that the number of Syrian citizens taking shelter in Turkey reached 16,825.