Violence continue in syria

REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT OF THIS VIDEO

Violence continued across Syria, just one day before the first anniversary of the uprising.

Amateur video posted on social media websites showed explosions, gunfire and violence in the northern city of Idlib.

Another video posted on the Internet showed a funeral procession in the city of Aleppo, where Syrian President Bashar al-Assad maintains strong support.

Reuters cannot independently verify the content of the videos.

As the bloody fighting continues, residents are trying to escape to nearby countries like Turkey.

Preparations were underway in the border town of Hatay to house more refugees.

Construction workers laid down new pavements as Syrians settled into their tents.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SYRIAN REFUGEE, MAHMOUD MOUSSA, SAYING:

"Hundreds of new refugees come everyday. Today more than 200 people came, and we expect other people will come. Everyday we receive more than 100, 200 people, so that Turkish authorities prepare new tents for them."

A 22-year-old Free Syrian Army fighter who fled from Idlib and crossed into Turkey on Wednesday held up his ID card and described the latest situation in the province.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNIDENTIFIED FREE SYRIAN ARMY FIGHTER SAYING:

"We were obliged to withdraw from the city, because the army is using citizens as human shields against us, so we could not stay there. They are responsible for the bloodshed of people."

The number of refugees who have crossed into Turkey has exceeded 13,000.

The United Nations estimates that more than 8,000 people have died in the fighting.

Some 230,000 Syrians have been displaced from their homes, including 30,000 who have fled abroad, raising the prospect of a refugee crisis.

Sophia Soo, Reuters.