2023-08-14 13:08:28
The Lebanese army arrested 134 migrants, most of them Syrians, for trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe irregularly. The army also announced the arrest of the smuggler, a Lebanese citizen.
On Saturday, August 12, the Lebanese army announced in a statement that it had arrested “130 Syrians and 4 citizens, in the town of Sheikh Zinad in Akkar, for attempting to sneak across the sea illegally towards a European country.” He added that his forces also arrested “the mastermind of the operation, the citizen (SS).” He indicated that “the investigation with the detainees was conducted under the supervision of the competent judiciary.”
On 12/8/2023, a patrol from the Intelligence Directorate, supported by an army unit, in the town of Sheikh Zinad – Akkar, arrested 130 Syrians and 4 citizens for attempting to sneak across the sea illegally towards a European country. .https://t.co/lNVR1KvQq6
– The Lebanese Army (@LebarmyOfficial) August 12, 2023
In another statement, the army said that its units had arrested, in other parts of Akkar governorate, “150 people (…) while trying to enter Lebanese territory illegally” from Syria.
and benefits Local Lebanese media 400 people were arrested in just three days “in the areas of Silaata and Al-Abdah in Akkar Al-Minya in northern Lebanon, Deir Ammar and the port of Tripoli.” It quoted one of the boat owners as saying that the price of one boat is $15,000, and it is bought for $100,000.
The destination of the boats is often Cyprus, a member state of the European Union located off the Lebanese coast, only 175 km away.
Two weeks ago, the Cypriot authorities returned 73 migrants to Lebanon, following the rescue of a boat carrying them, according to an agreement signed between the two countries, which stipulates that Lebanon is a safe country to which migrants can be returned.
However, Lebanon is suffering from an unprecedented political and economic crisis. Lebanese have joined Syrian and Palestinian immigrants to make illegal immigration attempts due to the worsening conditions at all levels.
The Lebanese authorities have deported more than 750 Syrians to Syria since last April, according to human rights organizations, and have carried out arrest campaigns and security restrictions that have clamped down on the lives of Syrians and placed them under the fear of forced return. These returns expose Syrians to the risk of arrest, in addition to what Syrians suffer from a lack of services and the return of attacks to different parts of the country. Several organizations have published reports documenting violations committed by the Syrian security services once morest returning refugees, including torture and enforced disappearance.
The authorities estimate that there are more than two million Syrians on their lands, while the number registered with the nations is regarding 800,000. In addition to the thousands of Palestinian refugees who have been living in camps for decades.
Lebanon has recently witnessed numerous attempts by migrants to cross the Mediterranean with the aim of reaching European shores. In September 2022, at least 100 bodies were recovered following a boat carrying migrants from Lebanon sank off the Syrian coast. In December 2022, two migrants died and nearly 200 were rescued when their boat sank off the northern coast of Lebanon.
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