Syrian refugees stranded near Turkey border

More than 5000 Syrian refugees are living in appalling conditions while waiting to be allowed into nearby Turkey, CNN reports.

The UN's refugee agency has estimated that the number of Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries could reach 700,000 by the end of the year.

However, as CNN's Ivan Watson discovered, it has become increasingly difficult for Syrians to leave the country and cross the border into Turkey.

He found more than five thousand Syrian refugees living in filthy conditions at a makeshift encampment in northern Syria metres away from the border fence.

They are survivors left homeless by the ongoing conflict and with no choice but to wait for the Turkish government to allow them in.