Iraq will be relocating Syrian refugees crossing its border in al-Anbar province away from the border to a facility in the provincial capital Ramadi, the prime minister's office has said in a statement.

It said refugees currently being held in a make-shift camp near the border at al-Qaem would be moved to a government apartment complex in Ramadi. About 800 refugees have crossed over at al-Qaem since Iraq decided to open its borders to Syrians fleeing the violence. Some of those leaving Syria are defecting soldiers and Iraq has said it is worried about the security implications of allowing them in and well as the logistical problems of caring for large numbers of people in the desert.