Angelina Jolie to visit Syrian refugees today

NEW YORK: Angelina Jolie is to travel Friday to Turkey to meet with Syrian refugees forced to flee their country amid pro-democracy crackdowns, Geo News reported.

The Salt actress's request to visit with the displaced has been approved by Turkey's foreign ministry and plans are under way for Jolie to arrive in Hatay for a tour of refugee camps on Friday, report said.

Jolie's trip to the region is the latest example of her decade-long commitment to advocating human rights on behalf of the UN High Commission for Refugees.

A source close to the star previously claimed that Jolie feels a "deep need" to champion the plights of the war-torn and downtrodden.

Thousands of Syrians have evacuated their country since President Bashar al-Assad ordered his military forces to quell growing protests calling for democratic reforms.

US President Barack Obama has initiated economic sanctions against Assad and several other Syrian government officials in response to growing violence between pro and anti-government factions.

It may be recalled that Jolie toured Pakistan after floods ravaged sections of the country and called on world leaders to increase aid to those affected by the political conflict in Libya.