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UN urges Turkey to open border to Syrians fleeing Aleppo

The United Nations on Tuesday urged Turkey to open its borders to the tens of thousands of people fleeing a Syrian regime assault on opposition strongholds in the northern city of Aleppo and surrounding areas.

More than 31,000 people have fled the area in recent days, according to the United Nations, with emergency camps along the Turkish border becoming overwhelmed by displaced people.

“We are asking Turkey to open its border to all civilians from Syria who are fleeing danger and seeking international protection,” said UN refugee agency (UNHCR) spokesman William Spindler.

He noted that Turkey had allowed in a limited number of vulnerable people and the wounded.

Turkey has had “a generous policy” through the conflict by hosting an estimated 2.5 million refugees, Spindler added, stressing that the international community needed to do more to help.

But Ankara has faced growing calls to let in those currently stuck at the border, as huge crowds, mainly women and children, have been forced to wait at Turkey’s Oncupinar crossing, which remained closed Tuesday with only medical emergencies allowed through.

Government forces have sought to encircle the rebel-held parts of Aleppo.

Turkey has warned that the surging violence could spark a fresh mass displacement which could see up to 600,000 people arrive at the border.

Syria’s nearly five-year-old conflict has claimed 260,000 lives and displaced half the population.

Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said Ankara wants to keep those newly displaced inside Syria, while providing cross-border emergency assistance.