Thousands of Syrian Alawites are crossing into Lebanon due to escalating violence in coastal Syria. Reports indicate over 1,000 civilian deaths and fears of sectarian conflict as refugees arrive in Akkar and Tripoli. Local officials report significant concerns regarding rising tensions due to the influx, which adds to Lebanon’s existing refugee crisis of approximately 2 million.
In recent days, thousands of Syrian Alawites have fled to northern Lebanon, escaping violent clashes and extensive civilian casualties. The influx occurs amid ongoing fighting between interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s forces and loyalists of ousted President Bashar al-Assad in the coastal regions of Latakia and Tartus, where a significant Alawite population resides. The violence has raised fears of a sectarian conflict, as numerous civilians, not solely regime loyalists, are reportedly being targeted.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported over 1,000 fatalities in a few days, including more than 700 Alawites. Refugees have primarily sought safety in Akkar and the port city of Tripoli, which have historical tensions between Sunni and Alawite communities. Local Lebanese officials express concern that this surge in refugees may escalate existing tensions in these regions.
Lebanon Akkar MP Sajih Attieh reported to the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat about the significant number of displaced individuals arriving in Akkar, including tens of thousands in a day. He noted that up to 10,000 people crossed illegally due to the destruction of legal border crossings during the previous year’s Israeli conflict with Syria. The Lebanese army is currently allowing refugees to enter, despite the absence of formal border controls.
The unregulated border has long facilitated smuggling and human trafficking. During a recent meeting with Al-Sharaa, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun discussed these ongoing challenges. As Lebanon is already home to approximately 2 million Syrian refugees, Attieh cautioned that if the current influx continues, Lebanon may see an additional one million displaced persons added to those present since the onset of the Syrian civil conflict in 2011.
The ongoing violence in Syria has prompted a significant exodus of Alawite civilians into northern Lebanon, raising concerns over potential sectarian tensions. With over 1,000 reported deaths, including many Alawites, the situation is urgent. The influx of refugees, allowed without regulation due to destroyed border crossings, may further strain Lebanon, already accommodating millions of displaced Syrians since the war began in 2011. Immediate action is needed to manage and address the influx appropriately to prevent further conflict.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
