Tens of thousands of refugees fleeing Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and Beirut have crossed into Syria in recent weeks. The displaced include both Syrian refugees returning from Lebanon and Lebanese nationals, straining dwindling resources in an already strained region.
Syrian and Lebanese authorities reported that more than 400,000 people have fled Lebanon since Israel launched military operations against Hezbollah. Among them, approximately 100,000 are Lebanese citizens, while the majority are Syrians who had sought refuge in Lebanon to escape the brutality and crimes of the Assad regime.
The Assad regime has opened temporary shelters for Lebanese refugees in cities like Latakia. Schools have been repurposed as shelter centers, with local officials prioritizing Lebanese nationals over Syrians. “The government has made special efforts to accommodate Lebanese families, yet many Syrians remain without proper housing,” said Abu Yusuf Jablawi, a media activist in Latakia.
Despite the Assad regime’s offers of refuge to Lebanese citizens, returning Syrians have faced a more difficult path. Many have been subject to arrest, particularly at regime-controlled checkpoints. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) documented at least nine arrests of Syrians returning from Lebanon since Israeli airstrikes intensified. These arrests often target young men, many of whom are forced into conscription or face extortion by security forces.
The situation is different in liberated northern Syria, where local authorities have welcomed displaced Syrians and Lebanese. The Syrian Interim Government (SIG), which administers parts of northern Aleppo, has facilitated the legal entry of refugees through the Aoun Al-Dadat crossing near Jarablus. However, tensions with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who control the adjacent region of Manbij, have led to periodic closures of the crossing. As Israel’s military operations continue, the number of refugees entering Syria is expected to rise, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and challenging local governance across all areas of control.
