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UN: Thousands flee Palestinian refugee camp in Syria

Thousands of people fled a Palestinian refugee camp in the Syrian city of Latakia, some fleeing gunfire and others leaving on orders from the Syrian authorities, a spokesman for the U.N. agency says.
In this citizen journalism image, Syrian citizens, below right, wave to Syrian troops Sunday who withdraw from the Damascus suburb of Saqba, Syria, following a campaign of raids and arrests that started overnight and continued Sunday morning.
In this citizen journalism image, Syrian citizens, below right, wave to Syrian troops Sunday who withdraw from the Damascus suburb of Saqba, Syria, following a campaign of raids and arrests that started overnight and continued Sunday morning. Str / AP
/ Source: Reuters

Thousands of people fled a Palestinian refugee camp in the Syrian city of Latakia, some fleeing gunfire and others leaving on orders from the Syrian authorities, a spokesman for the U.N. agency which cares for Palestinian refugees said.

"Between 5,000 and 10,000 have fled, we don't where these people are so it's very worrying," said Christopher Gunness, spokesman for the UNRWA agency. "We have a handful of confirmed deaths and nearly 20 injured," he added.

Residents of Latakia say al-Raml refugee camp has been among the targets hit by Syrian security forces which have been attacking areas where protesters have been demonstrating against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

The Palestinian presidency on Monday called on Damascus to safeguard the lives of Palestinian refugees.

The Palestinian presidential spokesman called on "the Syrian authorities to take measures which prevent the violation of the lives of Palestinian refugees in al-Raml camp in Latakia," the official WAFA news reported.

Nabil Abu Rdainah, the spokesman, added that the Palestinian policy was not to interfere in the internal affairs of Arab states, adding "the future of the regimes is in the hands of their people," WAFA reported.