UN says 23,000 refugees fled to Turkey from Syria this month

GENEVA, June 16, 2015 (AFP) - Some 23,000 people have fled from Syria to Turkey between June 3 and 15, the UN refugee agency said Tuesday.

"This is according to the figures we received from Turkish authorities this morning," spokesman William Spindler said.

"Most of the new arrivals are Syrians escaping fighting by rival military forces," he said.

"But they also include some 2,100 Iraqis" from Mosul and other cities, he added.

"UNHCR staff say most refugees are exhausted and tired and arrive carrying just a few belongings. Some have walked for days," he said.