Opposition fighters in Syria have seized several border crossings with Turkey and Iraq. Al Jazeera has correspondents stationed near some of the key locations.

Isil Sariyuce, reporting from Reyhanli in Turkey near al-Hawa border crossing, said:

Truck drivers coming from Syrian side said they did not find an Syrian officials at the border check point to stamp their papers and passports. They claimed that the border was under the control of Free Syrian Army but it does not mean it control the entire region as there is military base just 1m from here. It is important for FSA to control this border crossing which is just 50km from Syria’s second biggest city, Aleppo.

Zeina Khodr, reporting from Massna in eastern Lebanon, said:

It’s the main border crossing between Syria and Lebanon and is just 45 minutes drive from here to the centre of Damascus. According to Lebanese security sources up to 20,000 refugees have entered into the country, but the UNHCR has put the figure at much higher. People fleeing Syria said they are scared, they cannot sleep at night, and they heard sound of gun and explosion. They are worried and arriving to seek safety.

The army beefed the security along the border but Lebanon and Syria have a long and porous border. There are many illegal routes that have been used by the opposition fighters and people who have been wounded to come to Lebanon.