The UN says dozens of Iraqi refugees have been expelled from a camp in Syria and sent back home.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)said Syrian security forces entered the El-Hol refugee camp and removed nine adults and 23 children. It is believed the group was taken to the Iraqi side of the border.
Another 12 Iraqis were expelled from the camp earlier this month.
UNHCR said both groups were residents of the Iraqi city of Tikrit, a stronghold of Saddam Hussein's regime, which fell to US troops a week ago.
Syrian authorities are said to have cited "security concerns" when asked to explain the expulsions.
The agency said it appreciated the pressure Syria is under not to give sanctuary to Saddam Hussein loyalists but urged Syrian authorities to give safe haven to asylum seekers.
UNHCR also said it was worried about an estimated 1,000 refugees and other residents of Iraq who have been stuck in no man's land between Iraq and Jordan.