Serbia and Macedonia limiting refugees passage to Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans only

Serbia and Macedonia have begun allowing migrant passage to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans, the United Nations refugee agency said on Thursday.

A UNHCR spokeswoman said all other migrants were being turned back, leaving hundreds stranded on borders. A Reuters witness on the Greek border with Macedonia said Macedonian police had begun turning back all non-Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans overnight.

"As of 6 p.m. (1600 GMT) yesterday evening Serbia started turning back (to Macedonia) all but Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans," said UNHCR spokeswoman Melita Sunjic. "Macedonia closed the border around 3 a.m and some 100 people remained stranded in no-man's land."