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Syria crisis: Number of refugees rises to 200,000 Syria crisis: Number of refugees rises to 200,000
(about 4 hours later)
The United Nations refugee agency says that more than 200,000 Syrian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries as the conflict has intensified.The United Nations refugee agency says that more than 200,000 Syrian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries as the conflict has intensified.
The UNHCR said the figure was already more than its projection of 185,000 for the end of this year.The UNHCR said the figure was already more than its projection of 185,000 for the end of this year.
About 30,000 arrived in Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the past week.About 30,000 arrived in Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the past week.
Meanwhile, opposition activists say the Syrian army has resumed shelling the south-western Damascus suburb of Darayya, killing about 20 people. Meanwhile, activists say Syrian army tanks have reached the centre of the Damascus suburb of Darayya, after shelling killed about 20 people.
The reported bombardment is part of a government military campaign launched this week to regain control of outlying areas of the capital. The reported offensive is part of a government military campaign launched this week to regain control of outlying areas of the capital.
Lebanon fearsLebanon fears
The violence in Syria has taken a toll on civilians, with more than 200,000 registering with the UNHCR in neighbouring countries since security forces began suppressing pro-democracy protests in March 2011.The violence in Syria has taken a toll on civilians, with more than 200,000 registering with the UNHCR in neighbouring countries since security forces began suppressing pro-democracy protests in March 2011.
"We are now at a much higher level of 202,512 refugees in the surrounding region," UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards told a news conference in Geneva on Friday."We are now at a much higher level of 202,512 refugees in the surrounding region," UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards told a news conference in Geneva on Friday.
"In Jordan, a record 2,200 people crossed the border overnight and were received at Zaatari camp in the north," he added."In Jordan, a record 2,200 people crossed the border overnight and were received at Zaatari camp in the north," he added.
The total reflects an increase of about 30,000 in the past week, but also takes into account a change in the way refugees were counted in Jordan. The total reflects an increase of about 30,000 in the past week, but also takes into account a change in the way refugees are counted in Jordan.
Mr Edwards said the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon, where 51,000 refugees are registered, was "hampering our work to help refugees fleeing Syria's conflict, though operations are continuing".Mr Edwards said the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon, where 51,000 refugees are registered, was "hampering our work to help refugees fleeing Syria's conflict, though operations are continuing".
There are also thought to be more than 1.2 million internally displaced people in Syria, and 2.5 million in need of humanitarian assistance.There are also thought to be more than 1.2 million internally displaced people in Syria, and 2.5 million in need of humanitarian assistance.
Guerrilla tacticsGuerrilla tactics
The main battle fronts are currently in the second city of Aleppo and in Damascus, where the government this week launched a fierce military offensive to crush rebel resistance on the outskirts of the capital.The main battle fronts are currently in the second city of Aleppo and in Damascus, where the government this week launched a fierce military offensive to crush rebel resistance on the outskirts of the capital.
Activists said the army used multiple rocket launchers located at the nearby Talat Qawqaba military base and artillery at Mezzeh military airport to bombard Darayya on Friday morning. Opposition activists said troops backed by tanks had entered the south-western suburb of Darayya on Friday afternoon, and had been seen on al-Thawra Street, in the centre.
It has targeted the area for several days, shelling it from afar and clearing it with ground troops, trying to sweep it clear of rebels, reports the BBC's Barbara Plett in Beirut. "The rebels have mostly slipped away. The fear now is that the army will round up young men and summarily execute them, as it did in Muadhamiya," activist Abu Kinan told the Reuters news agency, referring to a nearby suburb where the bodies of as many as 40 men shot at close range were reportedly found in buildings after troops pulled out.
Earlier, the army had used multiple rocket launchers located at the nearby Talat Qawqaba military base and artillery at Mezzeh military airport to bombard Darayya.
It has targeted the town for several days, shelling it from afar and clearing it with ground troops, trying to sweep it clear of rebels, reports the BBC's Barbara Plett in Beirut.
But rebel fighters are using classic guerrilla tactics, making it difficult for the army to defeat them despite its use of massive force, our correspondent adds.But rebel fighters are using classic guerrilla tactics, making it difficult for the army to defeat them despite its use of massive force, our correspondent adds.
Activists said at least 70 people had been killed in Darayya in the past 72 hours, most of them civilians. Two children were among those who died on Friday. Activists said at least 70 people had been killed in Darayya in the past 72 hours, most of them civilians.
"There are lots of bodies trapped in destroyed buildings and civilians are trying to flee towards Damascus," Abu Kinan, an activist in Darayya, told the Reuters news agency.
Opposition sources also reported fighting on Friday in other suburbs of Damascus, as well as heavy shelling on several districts of Aleppo.Opposition sources also reported fighting on Friday in other suburbs of Damascus, as well as heavy shelling on several districts of Aleppo.