The U.N. refugee agency said that the number of Syrian refugees seeking its help now tops a quarter-million, AP reported. Agency spokesman Adrian Edwards said 253,106 people have registered or are awaiting registration as Syrian refugees. Edwards told reporters Tuesday in Geneva there are 85,197 in Jordan, 78,431 in Turkey, 66,915 in Lebanon and 22,563 in Iraq as of this week. Officials acknowledge, however, the real number of Syrian refugees is likely far higher since tens of thousands are believed to have not yet registered with authorities. Edwards said the refugees say artillery and air attacks are continuing in villages and towns close to the Jordanian border. Activists said up to 23,000 people have been killed in Syria since a popular uprising began in March 2011 against Bashar Assad's regime.
