BEIRUT: In a daring operation, the Lebanese army and the country’s civil defense units successfully rescued 27 migrants whose boat was on the brink of sinking off the coast of northern Lebanon early on Saturday, as confirmed in a statement by the military.
The army did not provide details regarding the intended destination of the migrants or their nationalities.
In recent years, Lebanon has witnessed a surge in migrants, including Lebanese, Syrians, and Palestinians, embarking on perilous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea in search of better opportunities and more stable lives in Europe. This increase in migration has been particularly pronounced since Lebanon’s historic economic crisis began in October 2019.
Lebanon has long been a host to refugees, with over 805,000 UN-registered Syrian refugees. However, government estimates suggest that the actual number of Syrians in Lebanon could range from 1.5 million to 2 million. Lebanon is also home to tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees and their descendants, many of whom reside in 12 refugee camps spread across the country.
Influx of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon
In recent months, a growing number of Syrian citizens, facing deteriorating economic conditions in their homeland, have sought refuge in Lebanon by crossing the border through illegal routes in search of better opportunities. Lebanese officials have expressed concerns that this influx of Syrian refugees could lead to “harsh imbalances” that would negatively impact the country’s already delicate demographic structure.
Notably, last month, Lebanese troops apprehended dozens of Lebanese and Syrian traffickers in the northern region of the country, where they were preparing to send migrants on boats towards Europe across the Mediterranean Sea.
The tragic incident of a boat carrying migrants from Lebanon capsizing off Syria’s coast in September last year remains etched in memory, claiming the lives of at least 94 individuals. This was one of the deadliest incidents involving migrants in the region and prompted a crackdown on suspected smugglers.
In neighboring Syria, a rare incident occurred as a navy patrol intercepted a boat carrying migrants off the coast of Latakia on Saturday. Details surrounding this occurrence were limited, but it represents an unusual development in Syria, which has been embroiled in a devastating 12-year conflict that has claimed the lives of over half a million people and left vast swathes of the nation in ruins.
