The UN said on Friday that the Syrian war has forced more than nine million people from their homes, creating the world’s largest displaced population, describing the continuing conflict as "unconscionable".

The UN said on Friday that the Syrian war has forced more than nine million people from their homes, creating the world's largest displaced population, describing the continuing conflict as "unconscionable".

"It is unconscionable that a humanitarian catastrophe of this scale is unfolding before our eyes with no meaningful progress to stop the bloodshed," UN refugee chief Antonio Guterres said in a statement.

"No effort should be spared to forge peace. And no effort spared to ease the suffering of the innocent people caught up in the conflict and forced from their homes, communities, jobs and schools," Guterres insisted.

With more than 2.5 million Syrians currently registered or awaiting registration as refugees in neighboring countries, Syrians are expected to soon overtake Afghans as the world's largest refugee population.

In addition, more than 6.5 million people have been displaced inside the country.

The total number of people who have fled their homes in Syria now exceeds 40 percent of the war-ravaged nation's pre-conflict population, UNHCR said, stressing that at least half of all those displaced are children.