In October 2018, UNICEF estimated that 45,000 people live at the camp.[13] Other estimates are of 50,000[10] or even 70,000.[14] In October, relief workers and refugees said the Syrian army blockaded the roads and prevented aid from reaching the camp,[10] in an attempt to force frightened refugees into reconciliation.[15] Western sources say it was part of a Russian backed effort to pressure US and rebel forces to leave their base at nearby al-Tanf,[10] while a Russian military source blamed the United States as responsible for security in the area.[16] UNICEF reported that two infants died in the camp in early October[17], and called for urgent action,[13] and one local NGO reported 14 civilians had died from late September to 10 October.[14]