Ankara announces humanitarian corridor for 10 thousand Syrian refugees
Corridor to help thousands of refugees fleeing cities under siege by the army and massed on the Syrian side of the border. Television has announced that Syria mogul Rami Makhlouf, will relinquish all his interests . Security forces on high alert, especially in Maarat an-Numan and Khan Sheikoun, in the northwest of the country, for another Friday of protests.
Ankara (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Syria is preparing for another Friday of protests while Ankara wants to open a humanitarian corridor in the north of the neighbouring state to help the thousands of refugees massed at the border. The news was given anonymously by an official of the Turkish Foreign Ministry. "There are currently more than 10 thousand people along the Turkish-Syrian border, on the other side of the barbed wire. The decision to open a humanitarian corridor will be taken after observing further developments in Syria. About nine thousand refugees are already in a camp in Turkey, at Yalalagi. The humanitarian corridor would be a further step in this humanitarian initiative. "We decided to help our Syrian brothers in their urgent need of food. We will also provide other humanitarian aid, "said Ahmet Davutoglu Turkish foreign minister, adding that the Syrian authorities were informed of the intention to Ankara to operate on the Syrian side of the border.

Meanwhile on the ground in Syria today more anti-regime demonstrations are expected. The government shows no sign of letting up its military repression. Syrian troops in trucks and tanks are heading towards two cities in the north-west, Maarat al-Numan and Sheikoun Khan. Thousands of people have fled from the two cities and are heading for the border.

State television announced last night that the cousin of Bashar al-Assad, Rami Makholuf, wants to give up his business interests - which include a wide range of activities, from telecommunications to construction and oil - and give his profits to charity . "As for his businesses, they will be organized in order to create jobs and support the national economy. He will not venture into any new project involving personal gain, "announced the state broadcaster. The decision, according to observers, would indicate Assad’s concern about the continuing public protests. The name of Rami Makhlouf fact was shouted during demonstrations, and his company’s cell phones, Syriatel, burned in protest.