AKIPRESS.COM - At least 270,000 Syrians -- more than the population of Orlando, Florida -- have fled their homes in southwest Syria since the government launched an offensive against rebels more than two weeks ago, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), CNN reports.

Speaking to CNN on Monday, UNHCR spokesman Mohammad Hawari said that the number had "exceeded our expectations of 200,000."

The refugees are heading to the borders with Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, but neither country is willing to accept them.

The agency believes that the number of displaced people is likely to grow as fighting in the region continues.