The flow of refugees from Syria into Lebanon has intensified due to escalating violence in Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus. On Sunday, thousands crossed the border through illegal routes, seeking shelter in Alawite villages in northern Lebanon.
Lebanese Member of Parliament Sajih Attiyeh, speaking in Beirut, reported that over 10,000 refugees arrived within 24 hours, settling in six Alawite villages in the Akkar Valley. According to him, the surge in displaced people began after renewed clashes in the Kadmus area, where forces loyal to Syria’s new government are battling local militias.
Hundreds of refugees have also headed to Tripoli, about 90 km from Beirut, where their presence in the Alawite district of Jabal Mohsen triggered protests from the city's Sunni residents. The Lebanese army intervened promptly, preventing riots and looting. "Armored patrols are now monitoring the tense divide between Sunni and Alawite neighborhoods to maintain order," Attiyeh added.
Recent reports indicate that ongoing hostilities in western Syria have killed at least 830 civilians, the majority of whom were Alawites—a sect that makes up about 12% of Syria’s population.
The resurgence of armed Assad loyalists in Syria’s coastal regions poses the biggest challenge yet to the country’s transitional government, which took power in December 2024.
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Photo: Chris Hutchins/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS