Recent conflicts in Lebanon have forced over 200,000 Syrian refugees to flee to Kurdish and Turkish-controlled regions in northern Syria. The refugees are experiencing considerable hardships, including extortion and separation from family, as they navigate dangerous crossings. The elevated number of individuals seeking refuge adds strain to northern Syria’s already tense humanitarian landscape, while raising security concerns for Turkey.
The ongoing conflict instigated by Israel’s military operations in Lebanon has compelled over 200,000 Syrian refugees to relocate to various areas in northern Syria beyond the jurisdiction of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The Lebanese authorities have indicated that approximately 310,000 individuals, predominantly Syrian nationals, have left the country since the onset of Israel’s attacks targeting Beirut and southern Lebanon. Visual footage circulating on social media captured hundreds of families—comprising women and children—stranded at a border checkpoint situated between territories controlled by rebel forces and the Syrian government. Activists and humanitarian organizations have noted that many refugees were displaced from these very regions during Syria’s civil war, which erupted following the 2011 uprising. One activist remarked, “These people are mostly from this region. They fled when their homes became a battlefield, and now they are returning only to face another crisis.” The total number of evacuees fleeing Lebanon has already surpassed the 250,000 count recorded during the 33-day conflict with Israel in 2006. As reported by Shafak, a humanitarian organization operating in northern Syria, over 16,500 of the displaced individuals sought comfort in Kurdish-majority territories in the northeast while an additional 2,000 fled to areas under the control of Turkish-backed rebel factions. Shafak’s investigations into approximately 47 returnees indicated that most hailed from rural Idlib, northern Aleppo, and rural Hama areas. A portion of these returnees comes from Assad-controlled regions but preferred heading to northwestern Syria in pursuit of safety. Reports reveal that upon entering Syria, these refugees traversed several border crossings, including al-Masnaa, al-Dabousiyah, and al-Arida, ultimately reaching Idlib, northern rural Aleppo, or the Atmeh camp. However, they encountered extortion and exploitation throughout their journey; several reported theft of personal possessions and confiscation of identification documents at various checkpoints. Jassem al-Kaddor, a refugee, detailed an interrogation experience at a checkpoint, stating, “I had to explain that I am a Syrian, not affiliated with Hezbollah or any Lebanese militant group.” Many refugees, particularly young men, were compelled to leave relatives behind in Lebanon for fear of conscription into the Syrian armed forces. Furthermore, financial exploitation at crossings became rampant. Al-Kaddor revealed, “First, we had to exchange $100 at the Syrian-Lebanese border… but they gave us only 1m Syrian pounds at the government exchange rate.” Despite the considerable hardships faced, these individuals felt they had no alternative but to pay in order to secure passage back to northern Syria. Subsequently, many refugees found solace with relatives or were hosted by local residents in their new locales. The Syrian parliament enacted a policy in 2020 mandating that returning Syrians exchange $100 at the border to aid the national treasury; however, this requirement was temporarily lifted for a week on September 29. Ali al-Sheikh, a resident who accommodated a displaced family, expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, “It is clear that the Syrian regime has built a fortune on the misery of displaced people.” Al-Kaddor described the ongoing financial demands faced during his travels: “At each of the countless military checkpoints on the way to the rebel-held area, we had to pay. They would ask us things like: ‘What have you brought us as a gift from Lebanon?’ In total, I paid about $300,” thereby underscoring the financial burden faced by ordinary Syrians whose minimum wage hovers around $19. The United Nations indicates that the ongoing war has displaced about 13 million people, with half seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Lebanon hosts an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees amidst its own escalating economic and security crises, while northern Syria has become home to approximately 5 million individuals, comprising 3.9 million internally displaced persons and 1.9 million residing in camps and informal settlements. Shafa Sabouk, a media manager at Shafak, highlighted that local city councils in northern Syria are preparing for a potential new wave of displaced individuals, sharing measures taken to address the emerging humanitarian needs. Estimates from UN-affiliated organizations suggest that around 285,000 people have fled Lebanon since September 23 due to the ongoing conflict, which has resulted in approximately 1,700 fatalities and 10,000 injuries. According to regional analyst Omer Ozkizilcik of the Atlantic Council, the mass influx of refugees into northern Syria poses a security risk for Turkey, emphasizing that rising anti-refugee sentiments in Turkey could lead to significant ramifications on national security if the current military escalation in Lebanon persists. Halid Hoca, a Turkish-Syrian politician, underscored the unsustainable situation in northern Syria, stating, “If the war progresses and spreads to Syrian territory, it is inevitable that the region will become a demographic bomb.” He called for preparatory measures, noting the region’s lack of infrastructural support amidst escalating refugee challenges.
The current situation of Syrian refugees fleeing Lebanon is deeply intertwined with the ongoing conflict in the region and the humanitarian crises resulting from decades of warfare in Syria. The unrest began in 2011 amid the Syrian uprising against Bashar al-Assad’s government and has since escalated, leading to widespread displacement both internally and externally. The recent military actions by Israel in Lebanon have exacerbated this crisis, prompting a significant increase in the number of refugees seeking safety. With Lebanon already hosting a substantial number of Syrian refugees, the region faces mounting pressure to accommodate even more individuals fleeing conflict. Factors such as extortion, identity checks, and military presence at border crossings further complicate the refugee experience, highlighting the precariousness of their situation as they navigate multiple crises and humanitarian challenges in pursuit of safety and stability.
The movement of Syrian refugees from Lebanon to Kurdish and Turkish-controlled areas in northern Syria underscores the complexities of the ongoing regional conflicts. The dire circumstances faced by these individuals, characterized by extortion, loss of personal belongings, and separation from loved ones, reveal the humanitarian crises that continue to deepen in the region. This latest wave of refugees not only contributes to the already strained resources in northern Syria but poses potential security concerns for neighboring countries, particularly Turkey. Efforts to accommodate the influx of displaced individuals require careful planning and coordination among humanitarian agencies and local authorities, as they seek to address the immediate needs while preparing for what may be a sustained increase in refugees amid ongoing conflict.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
