United Nations, Jan. 12 -- North-east Syria is seeing increasing numbers of civilian casualties and large-scale displacement amid intensifying efforts to defeat extremists from ISIL, otherwise known as Da'esh, in Deir-ez-Zor governorate, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has said. Speaking to journalists in Geneva on Friday, spokesperson Andrej Mahecic warned that, in recent months, clashes and airstrikes in the eastern governorate's Hajin enclave - once part of an ISIL stronghold straddling the Syria and Iraq border - have forced tens of thousands of people to flee northwards in search of safety. "Over the past six months more than 25,000 people have been displaced in that part of the country, said Mr Mahecic. 'We have seen an increase, especi...