Syrians Flee to Turkey

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has shown no mercy toward his citizens in a brutal crackdown on protesters, and now his citizens are responding by leaving the country. Hundreds of residents are streaming across the northern border to Turkey as government forces approach. They’re leaving the town of Jisr al-Shoughour, where Assad claims 120 soldiers were killed by protesters, which is being seen as the pretense for a major crackdown. Turkey announced it would not block refugees, and called on Syria to show tolerance. At least 450 people have crossed over so far. Meanwhile, Turkish ambulances are ferrying the wounded into Turkey, and other residents are setting up roadblocks to impede government security forces.