Syrians leaving Turkey for Eid al-Fitr

ISTANBUL

Some 1,500 Syrians have left Turkey through the Öncüpınar border gate in the southeastern province of Kilis in the past three days to spend the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr in Syria.

Long lines of Syrian families, laden with baggage, queued at the border crossing between the two countries.

Before the families left Turkey, children aged 0-15 were provided with vaccines they need or have missed by the Kilis Public Health Center.

Syrians are required to book appointments for border crossings, as instructed by Turkish authorities.

The arrival of the Syrians back to Turkey will start on June 10 at 8 a.m. and will last until Nov. 1 at 5 p.m.

Muslims mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr. The three-day religious holiday will take place between June 4 and 6.

More than 3.5 million Syrians have taken refuge in Turkey since a conflict broke out in 2011, with the vast majority living in big cities rather than in camps.