Refugees Flee Syria in Greater Numbers

More than 100,000 refugees fled Syria in August amid reports of escalated violence—the largest monthly exodus since the crisis began in March 2011, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Now more than 235,500 people have registered or are awaiting registration as refugees, mostly in neighboring Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. The figure includes Iraqis who had previously fled to Syria and are now returning home, a UN refugee agency spokeswoman told reporters Tuesday in Geneva. 

"Most tell us they are leaving because of general insecurity, although some have reported direct threats," UNHCR chief spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said.

More than 18,000 people – mostly civilizans – have been killed since fighting began in Syria about 18 months ago, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Agency officials have warned that mounting insecurity is hurting humanitarian efforts, with more than 2.5 million people in need of urgent assistance and protection.