Nearly 40,000 Syrian civilians who have fled the conflict in Aleppo are stranded at the Turkish border. Turkey has already given refuge to millions who have fled Syria throughout the conflict, having sheltered more than 2.5 million, the world's largest refugee population. However, in recent months Turkey has come under growing pressure to impose stricter border controls in order to stem the onward flow of refugees.
Despite Turkish authorities saying the border was open to those fleeing the war-torn country, the Oncupinar crossing near the Turkish city of Kilis has been largely shut for nearly a year. As a result, refugees have been led into camps lying along the border between the two countries, leaving them with little choice but to reside in Bab al Salam, on the Syrian side of the Oncupinar gate.
Children in a camp near the Turkish border, as thousands of Syrians flee the embattled northern city of Aleppo Bulent Kilic/ AFP
A Syrian child cries as refugees wait in a camp in Bab-Al Salam, near the Turkish crossing gate in northern SyriaBulent Kilic/ AFP
Refugees wait inside a car near the Turkish border crossing gateBulent Kilic/ AFP
A boy looks on as Syrians fleeBulent Kilic/ AFPA man stands near a fence in Bab-Al SalamBulent Kilic/ AFPA refugee warms himself at a bonfire Bulent Kilic/ AFPA boy arrives with womenBulent Kilic/ AFP
The Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) has set up tents for the tens of thousands who have fled an escalating government assault on Aleppo, as air strikes continue to target villages on the road linking the city to the Turkish border.
"I've been in Turkey for three years now," said Syrian refugee, Mohammed Allawi Shewevi. "My sister's husband and her son were killed in Syria. My sister is still in Syria. Russian planes bombed our houses. I am waiting for them. I hope Turkey will let my sister cross the border."
A Syrian woman carries her belongings as she arrives at a refugee camp near the Bab al-Salam crossing, SyriaOsman Orsal/ Reuters
A woman carries a baby on her back in Bab-Al SalamBulent Kilic/ AFPA woman carries her belongingsBulent Kilic/ AFPA young boy carries a mattressBulent Kilic/ AFPA refugee carrying blankets after arriving at the Turkish border crossing gate in Bab al-SalamBulent Kilic/ AFPA man carries his belongings Bulent Kilic/ AFP
A woman carries a bagBulent Kilic/ AFP
A child carries a water containerBulent Kilic/ AFPA girl carries water containersOsman Orsal/ ReutersRefugees arrive at the Turkish border crossing gate in Bab al-Salam, northern SyriaBulent Kilic/ AFPChildren sit on a car in Bab al-Salam, near the Turkish border crossingBulent Kilic/ AFPRefugees push each other as they wait for tents in Bab al-Salam, northern SyriaBulent Kilic/ AFPRefugees wait for tentsBulent Kilic/ AFPMen stand on the roof of a vehicleBulent Kilic/ AFP
Syrians stand outside a campBulent Kilic/ AFP
Rebel-held areas in and around Aleppo, Syria's largest city before the war, are still home to 350,000 people, and aid workers have said they could soon fall to the government.
A child tries to climb over a fence in Bab al-SalamBulent Kilic/ AFPA boy looks over a fence in Bab al-SalamBulent Kilic/ AFPA Syrian boy looks out from his tentOsman Orsal/ ReutersRefugees walk between tentsBulent Kilic/ AFPA man eats food at a refugee camp in Bab al-SalamBulent Kilic/ AFPPeople sit and wait on the pavement at Turkey's Oncupinar border crossingOsman Orsal/ ReutersRefugees wait near the Turkish borderBulent Kilic/ AFPAn injured 15-year-old boy enters Turkey for treatment with his fatherOsman Orsal/ ReutersPeople sit on the pavement as they waitOsman Orsal/ ReutersA woman carries a babyOsman Orsal/ ReutersSyrian children playOsman Orsal/ ReutersA Syrian boy in a shelterOsman Orsal/ ReutersA Syrian girl in a shelterOsman Orsal/ ReutersChildren, covered with mud, wait with their families in the town of Khirbet Al-Joz, in Latakia countryside, as they seek permission to cross into TurkeyAmmar Abdullah/ ReutersA woman carries her belongings as she is stuck with others in the town of Khirbet Al-JozAmmar Abdullah/ ReutersRefugees in Khirbet Al-JozAmmar Abdullah/ ReutersA refugee girl criesBulent Kilic/ AFPRefugee children wait near the Turkish borderBulent Kilic/ AFPA man stands near the Turkish borderBulent Kilic/ AFPA child by the Turkish border crossing Bulent Kilic/ AFPA woman cries as Syrians flee AleppoBulent Kilic/ AFP
