Over 20,000 Syrians flee to Turkey in 2014

More than 20,000 Syrian refugees have fled to Turkey since the beginning of this year, marking the biggest influx in a year, the UN refugee agency reported More than 500 people arrive every day through crossing points recently, with the highest daily figure reaching between 1,000 and 2,000, UNHCR chief spokesperson Melissa Fleming was quoted as saying in Geneva by the semi-official Anatolia news agency. "This new influx appears to be spurred in part by the upsurge in fighting reported across the border in northern Syria, particularly in and around Aleppo, and the conflict among opposition groups as well," said Fleming. The influx this year adds to the existing pressure on Turkey's emergency refugee response, Fleming said, adding that the UNHCR is discussing with authorities additional support to help Turkey cope with the situation.