Lebanon sends back Syrian military personnel after illegal border crossing

On December 28, Lebanon expelled approximately 70 Syrian officers and soldiers, sending them back to Syria after they entered the country illegally through informal routes.

Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, many high-ranking Syrian officials and individuals close to the former ruling family fled to Lebanon, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a London-based organization with sources inside Syria, along with the Lebanese security official, reported that the Syrian military personnel, from various ranks, were returned through Lebanon’s northern Arida crossing.

After crossing the border, the returnees were detained by Syria’s new ruling authorities, who have been carrying out a major security crackdown targeting what they claim are remnants of the al-Assad regime. The areas affected, including parts of Homs and Tartous provinces, are near the porous border with Lebanon. 

The Lebanese security official further stated that the Syrian officers and soldiers were found in a truck in the northern coastal city of Jbeil after a local inspection. Neither Lebanese nor Syrian government officials immediately responded to requests for comment on the matter. 

Reuters reported that among those expelled was Rifaat al-Assad, the uncle of Bashar al-Assad, who is facing war crimes charges in Switzerland for his role in the violent suppression of a 1982 revolt. Two Lebanese security officials mentioned that Rifaat al-Assad had recently flown from Beirut to Dubai along with “many members” of the al-Assad family.

Earlier this month, Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi confirmed that top al-Assad advisor Bouthaina Shaaban had flown out of Beirut after entering Lebanon legally. In an interview with Al Arabiya, Mawlawi also stated that other Syrian officials had entered Lebanon illegally and were being actively pursued.

By Naila Huseynova