Soldiers had arrived before daybreak, separating the Syrian men who had no residence permits from the tattered camp in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley.
It’s been thirteen years since Syria’s conflict broke out and Lebanon is still the chosen home to the largest refugee population per capita in the world (roughly 1.5 million Syrians- half of whom are refugees that have formally registered with the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR – in a country of approximately 4 million Lebanese).
They are among about five million Syrian refugees who fled from their home country, Syria, into neighbouring countries, while millions more are still displaced within Syria.
Donor countries in Brussels who have been contributing to the cause had this week, pledged fewer funds in Syria. An all time record low.
With Lebanon battling with an economic meltdown that has since destroyed livelihoods and major public services, its notorious underfunded security forces and divided politicians have unanimously agreed on sending Syrians back to their home country.
Strategies have been mapped out to do this. Employers have been directed to stop hiring Syrians for menial jobs. Municipalities have also issued new curfews, with some even going as far as expelling tenants of Syrian heritage, according to two humanitarian sources to Reuters.
At least one township in northern Lebanon has closed down its informal camp, dispersing Syrians in the process.
In addition, Lebanese security forces issued a new directive this month decreasing/limiting the number of categories through which Syrians can apply for residency. This new directive has etched fear into the hearts of many who can no longer qualify for legal status and are now face with the reality of possible deportation.
Lebanon has scheduled volitionally returns for Syrians, and through that channel, about 300 people have travelled home in this month alone.
But over 400 people have been deported by the Lebanese army in total, according to two humanitarian. The deportees had been caught in camp raids and at checkpoints established to identify Syrians without legal residency.
The manner of their deportation has sparked concerns with advocates over human rights violations, arbitrary detention and forced military conscriptions.
