Iraqi state TV says Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has formally authorized the entry of Syrian refugees into his country.

No details were released following Monday's announcement.

The 17-month conflict in Syria has sent tens of thousands of refugees streaming out of the country. But the idea of Syrians fleeing to Iraq is notable.

For years, Iraqis would head to Syria to escape widespread sectarian fighting during the worst of violence in their homeland between 2005 and 2007.

Now the refugee traffic is going the other way.