UN: Number of Syrian Citizens Fleeing War in Daraa Exceeds 270,000

The United Nations announced on Monday that the number of people forced to leave their homes following military operations by Bashar Assad’s army forces in southern Syria has increased to 270,000.

According to Reuters, Mohammad Al-Hawari, spokesman for the UN Refugee Agency office in Jordan, said in an interview with the news agency, “The latest updates show that the number of displaced persons has exceeded the 270,000 mark.”

Syrian government forces, with air support from the Russian army, have launched extensive operations in eastern Daraa province to regain control of those areas from anti-Damascus rebels.

The United Nations said last week that approximately 160,000 people in southern Syria had been displaced by these operations and had sought refuge in areas near the shared borders with Jordan and Israel.

This international body had previously warned of another humanitarian catastrophe similar to what had occurred earlier in Eastern Ghouta.

Jordan and Israel said they would not allow Syrian refugees to cross the border.

Source: Voice of America