At least 120,000 people have been displaced in three major Syrian cities because of fighting since early October.

At least 120,000 people have been displaced in three major Syrian cities because of fighting since early October, the United Nations said Monday.

The UN humanitarian affairs agency said that at least 120,000 people had been forced to flee their homes in Aleppo, Hama and Idleb governorates between October 5 and 22.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that most of these people were displaced within their governorates, while others fled to camps near the Turkish border.

"People need tents, basic household items, food, water and sanitation services," Dujarric said.

The Syrian conflict has claimed more than 250,000 lives since 2011 and made the country the world's single-largest source of refugees and displaced people.

Some 3.9 million Syrians have become refugees and at least 7.6 million have been internally displaced, according to UN figures.