Thousands of Syrian Alawites are fleeing violence and crossing into Lebanon, particularly in Akkar, due to ongoing clashes in Syria. The influx of refugees has raised concerns among Lebanese officials about potential tensions amid existing sectarian divides. Reports indicate over 700 fatalities among Alawites, triggering fears of further sectarian conflict in the region. Authorities stress the need for managing this humanitarian crisis effectively to prevent additional conflicts.
Recent reports indicate a significant influx of Syrian Alawites fleeing violence into northern Lebanon, particularly into the Akkar governorate. As fierce clashes persist in coastal Syria, government forces led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa are engaged in a conflict against insurgents, which has resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties, including over 700 Alawites according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Civilians, who comprise a large portion of those crossing the border, are increasingly at risk as violence escalates. Witness accounts suggest that not solely individuals aligned with the former regime are being targeted, prompting concerns of a potential sectarian conflict in the region. The coastal areas of Syria, primarily inhabited by the Alawite sect, continue to witness unrest, causing massive displacement towards Lebanon.
Lebanese officials express apprehension regarding the rising numbers of displaced individuals entering Lebanon. The majority Sunni population in Akkar and Tripoli, where Alawites are a minority, has a history of sectarian tensions, raising fears of renewed conflict. MP Sajih Attieh has highlighted the alarming scale of displacement, noting that Alawite refugees have been received in several villages, cautiously estimating that up to 10,000 individuals arrived in one day through illegal crossings due to the absence of official border checkpoints.
With over 2 million Syrian refugees already residing in Lebanon since the conflict began in 2011, the government faces mounting pressure to effectively manage and account for additional influxes of displaced individuals. Attieh emphasized the necessity for the Lebanese government to implement regulatory measures to avoid repeating past mistakes. Should the current situation persist, the influx may lead to one million additional displaced Syrians over the following years.
The recent surge of Syrian Alawites into Lebanon underscores a profound humanitarian crisis amid escalating violence in Syria. With over 1,000 reported fatalities, including many Alawites, the potential for increased sectarian strife in Lebanon becomes evident. As the government grapples with the challenges of managing the influx of refugees, proactive measures are critical to avert the deepening of sectarian tensions and to ensure a stable response to this urgent situation.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
