Thousands of Syrian Alawites have fled to Lebanon in recent days to escape violence in their homeland. The Akkar region has seen a notable influx due to clashes between interim government forces and those loyal to Bashar al-Assad. The Lebanese government is urged to monitor this situation to prevent worsening sectarian tensions and manage the growing number of refugees effectively.
In recent days, a significant number of Syrian Alawites have migrated to northern Lebanon, escaping violent confrontations and attacks that have resulted in numerous civilian fatalities. The Akkar region, Lebanon’s northernmost governorate adjacent to Syria, has become a refuge for these individuals fleeing hostilities between the interim government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa and supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad.
As violence escalates, President al-Sharaa claims his government is engaged in combat against insurgents who are perpetrating assaults on state facilities. Meanwhile, eyewitness accounts circulating on social media indicate that a considerable number of the displaced are not involved with pro-Assad groups but are rather innocent civilians.
The coastal areas of Syria, particularly the Latakia and Tartus governorates, are predominantly composed of the Alawite sect, to which Assad belongs, heightening fears of a potential sectarian conflict. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported over 1,000 deaths due to recent violence, including over 700 Alawites, prompting many to seek shelter in Akkar and the nearby port city of Tripoli.
However, Lebanese officials express concerns regarding the potential for internal tensions given that Akkar and Tripoli are primarily Sunni neighborhoods with notable Alawite populations and a history of conflict between pro- and anti-Assad factions. The rising influx of refugees is alarming, with Akkar MP Sajih Attieh noting the significant displacement of Alawites into five or six villages in Akkar, as well as a considerable number arriving in Tripoli’s Jabal Mohsen neighborhood.
Attieh mentioned the challenges posed by illegal border crossings, stating that all legal routes have been compromised due to recent conflicts. The Lebanese army has not intervened to halt the refugee flow, allowing thousands to cross into Lebanon. The porous nature of the Lebanon-Syria border has been a longstanding issue, complicating smuggling and trafficking concerns that have persisted for years.
Lebanon currently accommodates approximately two million Syrian refugees since the onset of the Syrian conflict in 2011, with fewer than one million officially registered with the UNHCR. Attieh urged the Lebanese government to take tangible steps to monitor and regulate the influx of newcomers to avert repeating past mistakes; otherwise, Lebanon may face an additional influx of one million displaced individuals, compounding the existing refugee crisis.
The displacement of Syrian Alawites into Lebanon is a significant development driven by escalating violence and instability in Syria. The Lebanese government faces increasing pressure to effectively manage this new wave of refugees while maintaining internal security in a region with historical sectarian tensions. Without proper regulations and tracking measures, Lebanon risks exacerbating its already strained refugee situation.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
