Thousands of Syrian refugees are pouring across the border into Turkey, fleeing for their lives in fear of being attacked by the military of Bashar al-Assad.

The Damascus government claimed that residents of the village of Jisr al-Shughur had “requested” the troops to come there in order to ensure stability. Assad is reportedly seeking revenge for the killing of 120 security personnel by “armed gangs” in the city a few days ago.

Meanwhile, Turkey braces for more arrivals from Syria as the crisis in that country deepens. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan has vowed he would welcome the refugees.

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A Syrian refugee walk with her children at Altinozu refugee camp in the Turkish border town of Altinozu in Hatay province Reuters
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Syrian refugees hold banners and chant slogans at Altinozu refugee camp in the Turkish border town of Altinozu in Hatay province Reuters
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Tents are seen in a refugee camp which is under construction in Boynuyogun, a border village near the Turkish border town of Altinozu in Hatay province Reuters
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Syrian refugees hold banners and chant slogans at Altinozu refugee camp in the Turkish border town of Altinozu in Hatay province Reuters
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Syrian refugee children make v-signs and chant slogans at Altinozu refugee camp in the Turkish border town of Altinozu in Hatay province Reuters
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Syrian refugee children stand behind the fence of a refugee camp in the Turkish border town of Yayladagi Reuters
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A Syrian child gestures behind the fence of a refugee camp in the Turkish border town of Yayladagi Reuters