The number of refugees from Iraq’s Yazidi religious minority who have fled to Turkey from the advance of jehadis has risen to 16,000 and may rise further, a top provincial official said. The number marks a sharp rise from the figures of several thousand previously given and shows Turkey is dealing with another major influx of refugees as it gives sanctuary to some 1.2 million fleeing the Syria conflict. The Yazidi refugees have fled to the southeastern Turkish province of Sirnak bordering Iraq to escape the murderous advance of Islamic State (IS) jehadis who specifically target their community.
