Lebanon Repatriates Hundreds of Syrians Amid Growing Pressure
Beirut recently repatriated several hundred Syrians in coordination with Damascus, as the pressure mounts in cash-strapped Lebanon for the hundreds of thousands of refugees to return home. The move comes as Lebanon grapples with a severe economic crisis that has been ongoing since late 2019.
The repatriation process began with vans and small trucks gathering in the Arsal area near the border early in the morning to ferry the returnees back to Syria. The vehicles were loaded with mattresses, belongings, and even livestock as individuals prepared to make the journey back to their home country.
One 57-year-old man, originally from Syria’s Qalamun area, expressed his happiness at the prospect of returning home after spending a decade as a refugee. He mentioned that he was going back alone initially to prepare for his family’s return, emphasizing his eagerness to reunite with loved ones in Syria.
According to Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA), around 330 people had registered to be part of the voluntary return initiative. Syrian state news agency SANA also reported that an unspecified number of individuals arrived from Lebanon as part of the repatriation effort.
Lebanon currently hosts approximately two million Syrian refugees, making it the country with the highest number of refugees per capita in the world. Nearly 785,000 of these refugees are registered with the United Nations, highlighting the significant burden that Lebanon has shouldered in providing assistance to those fleeing conflict in Syria.
In response to the ongoing refugee crisis, the European Union recently announced $1 billion in aid to Beirut to help address irregular migration to the bloc. However, the aid package has faced criticism within Lebanon for not adequately addressing public demands for Syrians to return home. The issue is expected to be discussed during a parliamentary session scheduled for Wednesday.
Lebanon initiated the voluntary return of small numbers of Syrians in 2017 based on lists provided by the government in Damascus. The last group of returnees crossed the border in 2022. Despite these efforts, human rights groups like Amnesty International have raised concerns about the safety and well-being of returning refugees, warning that they may face abuse and persecution upon their return.
In a related development, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah called on Lebanese authorities to allow migrant boats to set sail towards Europe as a means of exerting pressure on the European Union. Cyprus, which is a member of the EU and located less than 200 kilometers away from Lebanon, has been a focal point in discussions surrounding irregular migration routes.
As Lebanon continues to navigate the challenges posed by hosting a large refugee population, the repatriation of Syrians remains a complex and sensitive issue. The recent return of several hundred individuals underscores the ongoing efforts to address this humanitarian crisis while balancing political and economic considerations within the region.