A new batch of Syrian refugees left a number of Lebanese areas heading back home to Syria. The process of return took place under the supervision of the Lebanese General Security and representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
In Nabatiyeh and Saida alone, 4 fully-packed Pullman buses drove towards the Masnaa border crossing. United Nations representatives and partnered relief organizations asked Syrian returnees about the motives behind heading back home.
A woman was cited by the Syrian Arab News Agency that her decision to go back was as such: “We are no longer able to afford living in Lebanon, especially with discriminatory and depleting UN assistance.”
UN agents also questioned returnees on the availability of safe housing in Syria.
In the Hermel area of Bekaa dozens of displaced Syrians gathered in the area of the border crossing in the Jousa area in a stormy weather. They were transferred to Syria carrying their personal belongings after Lebanese public security having arranged their leave.
This is the first time convoys of Syrian returnees are spotted on the far northeastern Lebanese border. Land crossings in the area were avoided before due to harsh winter weather conditions, especially in Arsal.
Also from the north, dozens of Syrian families arrived at the border crossing at Aboudiya, where Syrian refugees underwent customs and security vetting.
