In Iraq, at least 40 Syrian soldiers and government employees were killed in the province of Anbar.

Officials said that those killed were part of a group of people who tried to escape into Iraq to flee an attack by anti-government rebels.

As they were on their way to the border, unidentified gunmen attacked them. Iraqis were also among the dead.

Violence in Syria has been present for the past two years as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad are constantly fighting the opposition.