„They‘ve wanted to cross for a while because the circumstances have become very difficult,“ said al-Jasim, who confirmed his location near the al-Riz crossing via phone location services.

He said his relatives told him they were prepared to cross during the day but were advised by three rebel groups to wait until dark.

„Then in the evening, (the rebels) began to fire at the crossing“ to prevent passage, al-Jasim said. He said about fifty families were waiting to cross.