Thousands flee Aleppo violence

Rubble strewn across the streets of Aleppo - the aftermath of an assault by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.

Amateur video obtained by Reuters shows smoke rising from within Syria's biggest city, as the army shells the battered rebel stronghold.

Syrian state TV on Wednesday announced that the army had killed what they called terrorists and foreign fighters in Aleppo, and was now in control of the area.

Across the border in neighbouring Turkey, thousands of Syrian refugees fleeing the violence poured into shelters.

The group was made up of some 2,400 people, including a total of 37 defecting military personnel.

Nine people were treated in Turkish hospitals.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) WOUNDED SYRIAN REFUGEE HACI MAHMOUD:

"I walked out of my home with my son. We were attacked by war planes while walking on the street. God, please save us from that infidel Assad. We are homeless because of him."

The 17-month old uprising against Assad's rule in Syria has created a refugee crisis in Turkey and other neighbouring countries.

Turkey's foreign ministry said almost 50,000 Syrians were sheltering in the country.

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