ANKARA: Two Syrian brigadier generals crossed into Turkey overnight, a Turkish foreign ministry official told AFP Wednesday.

"Some 330 Syrians including two brigadier generals fled to Turkey Tuesday night," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Turkey has become home to dozens of defectors who have crossed the border and formed the Free Syrian Army in opposition to President Bahsar al-Assad's regime.

On Monday, a Syrian general and several soldiers crossed into the Turkish side of the border, bringing to 18 the number of generals who have fled into Turkey since the conflict in Syria erupted in March last year.

The official also said that nearly 43,300 Syrian refugees were now living in camps near the border with Syria.