Thousands of Syrians flee to Lebanon as coastal clashes intensify
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The exact number of arrivals remains unclear, as many are crossing in large, unorganized groups, wading across the river separating Syria and Lebanon.
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Syrian new administration forces are deployed amid heightened security in Damascus, Syria, Friday, March 7, 2025 (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)
A massive influx of Syrian refugees has entered Lebanon following intense clashes in Latakia and Tartus, Lebanese lawmaker Saji Atiyah told RIA Novosti on Friday.
"Northern Lebanon, particularly the Akkar Province, is experiencing a massive inflow from Syria's coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus. Most of the refugees belong to the Alawite community. After the events that took place in the Syrian provinces, thousands of people walked to the Lebanese border," said Atiyah, who represents Akkar.
The exact number of arrivals remains unclear, as many are crossing in large, unorganized groups, wading across the river separating Syria and Lebanon.
"The residents of Akkar are struggling to deal with the huge pressure that comes with thousands of refugees arriving within a day," Atiyah added, stressing the lack of humanitarian aid to support those fleeing the conflict.
He warned that if the situation worsens, the Syrian refugee population in Lebanon could reach 3 million, a scenario he described as unsustainable for a country with only 4.5 million people.
Clashes in Syria's Coastal Regions Intensify, Alawites Targeted
The mass displacement follows the outbreak of intense fighting on Thursday between forces aligned with Syria's new administration and local forces in the coast region. The violence has spread across Jableh, Latakia, and Tartus, forcing authorities to impose a curfew in several areas.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported that 69 Alawites were executed by security forces in Latakia, accusing the new Syrian administration of targeting the sect once favored under Assad.
Footage from activists showed bodies piled in courtyards and victims being shot at close range. The Syrian Interior Ministry acknowledged "individual violations" but claimed they were responses to assassinations of security personnel.
As violence escalates, Alawite community members in Tartus and Latakia have staged protests outside the Russian military base in Hmeimim, demanding Moscow's intervention to protect them.
The Supreme Islamic Council for the Alawite Sect has called for UN Security Council intervention under Chapter VII, citing sectarian targeting and mass killings.
Read more: No more reason for Syrian refugees to stay in Lebanon: President Aoun
