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Thousands head to Turkey to flee Syria fighting
A series of deadly explosions have marked a year since the Syrian uprising began. Unverifiable video uploaded to social media websites appear to show heavy shelling took place in Hama, Homs and Idlib. The Free Syria Army says its been partially successful in attacking Baath Party headquarters in Maraat Numan. Fierce clashes are also said to have taken place in several other cities. What is clear, however, is that thousands are trying to escape the clashes. Despite reports that Syrian authorities have laid mines along its borders, more than a thousand people crossed into Turkey over the last 24 hours, raising the total to 14,000. Ankara set up a buffer zone along its frontier with Iraq during the first Gulf War and some refugees are urging it to do the same again to save lives. “We’re all Syrians and every child that dies is a loss for the country,” said refugee Mustafa Faida. But others are calling for anti-government forces to be armed and given international protection: “We want weapons, that the most important thing, and a buffer zone,” said Mohammed Gazzam. The United Nations says nearly a quarter of a million Syrians have been displaced from their homes, including 30,000 who’ve fled abroad, raising the prospect of a regional refugee crisis. More about: Armed conflicts, Bashar al-Assad, Refugees, Syria

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Moroccans call for end to rape-marriage laws
Women’s rights activists have stepped up pressure to end laws that allow rapists to marry their victims. It comes after a 16-year-old killed herself after being severely beaten during a forced marriage. Protests have been planned for Saturday against a law campaigners describe as “embarrassing.” More about: Morocco

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Syria’s refugees seek safety in Lebanon
Safe in Arsal, in the highlands of Lebanon, Syrian refugees have braved the cold and fear of the Syrian army to get here. In the last few days, hundreds of ordinary people have run for the hills to escape the fierce bombardment of their towns and villages, near the border. A father said: “The bullets were coming at us from all directions, then we escaped towards the south, which we had been told would lead us to Lebanon. But when we reached Lebanon, the Lebanese army was not letting people in. Some people took us in their car and drove us through the mountains until we reached Arsal. That was yesterday, in the snow and rain, with these children.” Other groups say that only women and children are being allowed to cross the border. These two families went over at Al Joushe. They are among around 2,000 people who have fled Qusair and have not been stopped by the Syrian armed forces. Hassanah Abu Firas, a refugee, said: “What are we supposed to do? People are sitting in their homes and they are hitting us with tanks. Those who can flee, flee. Those who can’t will die.” Qusair is not much more than 20 kilometres from Syria’s border with Lebanon. The town of 40,000 people has been under siege by the army of President Bashar al-Assad for six months. Food and fuel can not get in. Weapons and medical supplies are smuggled in from Lebanon. Residents said the bombardment began before an army assault on the town on Sunday: “A man drinking tea here was hit by a shell and killed. Assad’s troops fired it.” Now that Homs has been crushed, other towns now await the Syrian army, such as Idlib. Only members of the rebel Free Syrian Army are staying. Women and children are sent off to try and make it to Lebanon. Most say they will wait for a change in government before they risk coming back. More about: Civil War, Refugees, Syria, Unrest in the Arab world

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