Thousands of Syrian Alawites have fled to northern Lebanon due to violent clashes in coastal regions, resulting in high casualties. This influx poses potential sectarian tensions within Lebanon, particularly in areas with significant Sunni populations. Lebanese officials, including MP Sajih Attieh, highlighted the urgent need for governmental oversight to manage the refugee crisis effectively.
Recent reports indicate that thousands of Syrian Alawites have fled to northern Lebanon to escape escalating violence in coastal Syria. The conflict has intensified as fighting erupts between forces loyal to interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad, resulting in hundreds of civilian casualties, including over 700 Alawites, as noted by the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Akkar, located in Lebanon’s northernmost region, has become a refuge for these displaced individuals, alongside the port city of Tripoli. Concerns have been raised by Lebanese officials regarding the potential for increased tensions within Lebanon due to the influx, as these areas predominantly house Sunni populations that have historically been divided along pro- and anti-Assad lines.
Akkar MP Sajih Attieh expressed worries about the significant number of refugees, noting that thousands have arrived in several Alawite villages within the region. He reported up to 10,000 people reached Akkar in a single day, utilizing illegal border routes as current legal crossings remain inaccessible due to previous Israeli strikes.
The porous borders between Lebanon and Syria have exacerbated the ongoing refugee crisis, which has persisted since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011. Currently, Lebanon is sheltering approximately 2 million Syrian refugees, with concerns that the recent influx may add another million displaced individuals to that number if the situation remains unchanged. Attieh urged the Lebanese government to actively manage and account for the refugees to prevent mistakes historically seen in the past 14 years.
The article highlights the escalating situation faced by Syrian Alawites as they flee violence in Syria, seeking refuge in northern Lebanon. With significant concerns regarding sectarian tensions, the Lebanese government is urged to take proactive measures to manage the increasing number of displaced people entering the country. The report emphasizes the necessity for regulation and oversight to avoid exacerbating an already strained refugee crisis.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
