Syrian women, children shot dead by Turkish border guards

Turkish border guards patrolling the borders with neighboring Syria shot dead up to eight Syrian people, including women and children, while trying to escape the fierce battles in their war-torn country.

The slain Syrian civilians were attempting to cross the borders via an illegal mountain route usually used by refugee smugglers when the armed guards immediately shot them all dead. Another group of desperate refugees were injured in the firefight, including a man who was shot in both legs while carrying his young son and a woman who was shot in her arm.

The wounded were taken to a hospital in the nearby rebel-held town of Azaz. This, and numerous incidents which frequently take place along the borders, endorse the claims made by Human Right Watch last week that Turkish border guards are repeatedly and indiscriminately opening fire on whoever approaches the frontiers.