Hundreds of Iraqis have been stuck on the Syrian side of the Iraq-Syria border after being refused entry by Iraqi security forces.
The stranded Iraqis are mainly travellers returning to their country after visiting neighbouring Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The government in Baghdad has given no indication it plans to look into the issue.
News reports suggest that dozens of pilgrims from Makkah in Saudi Arabia are among those stuck in the desert along with sick people and their families.
The Iraqis have appealed to human rights organisations to intervene and convince their government to let them enter the country.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/15C433A0-CF95-4921-910B-E90B793AA6E6.htm