Refugees who fled death in Syria now flee death in Lebanon

Assistance denied

For most of the 1.5 million Syrians living in Lebanon, returning to Syria remains a dangerous option. However, staying in Lebanon presents its own severe challenges, especially amid the current crisis. This latest wave of displacement has come at a time when Syrians in Lebanon are already highly vulnerable, having faced increasing arbitrary deportations, evictions, and vigilante violence over the past few years. The newly displaced Syrians now face even greater hardship, with many reporting that they have been turned away from shelters or barred from entire municipalities.

While some Lebanese citizens and local NGOs have provided assistance, many shelters have reportedly denied Syrians access, effectively turning them into "Lebanese-only" spaces. Similarly, municipalities—particularly in the Bekaa Valley—have warned Syrians in certain camps against hosting newly displaced friends and relatives, threatening immediate eviction for noncompliance. In some cases, Syrian refugees have been evicted by landlords to make room for displaced Lebanese families.

Even before this latest crisis, nine out of ten Syrian refugees in Lebanon were living in extreme poverty, heavily dependent on humanitarian aid. Rising rent prices, driven by the surge in demand, have made securing housing nearly impossible for most refugee households. Human rights organisations have recently warned that excluding Syrians from shelter and aid has left tens of thousands without viable alternatives.

In a desperate attempt to address this dire situation, there have been urgent calls to "lift discriminatory barriers" and grant Syrians access to shelter. However, the apparent failure of these appeals has left many Syrian refugees with no option but to return home, facing their worst fears in hopes of providing safety for their families.

Facilitating entry into Syria

In response to the growing influx of Lebanese refugees fleeing to Syria, the regime has been quick to highlight its efforts to streamline the entry process. One of the key measures introduced is a directive to immigration authorities to accept any form of official identification as valid documentation for Lebanese citizens entering Syria. Additionally, the regime has allowed UN agencies and humanitarian organisations to operate at the border, providing aid to the Lebanese citizens crossing into Syria.

However, Syrian returnees have not been afforded the same leniency. Despite facing severe financial difficulties, every Syrian adult returning to the country was still required to exchange $100 at the border at a rate lower than the black-market exchange rate. This policy, designed to boost the regime's hard currency reserves, has left many Syrian refugees stranded at the border, unable to enter because they lack the required amount. Following widespread criticism, the regime announced a temporary one-week suspension of this requirement for Syrian citizens on September 29.

This suspension of the $100 exchange requirement was accompanied by extensive media coverage of the regime's efforts to facilitate the entry of both Lebanese citizens and returning Syrians. According to official figures, approximately 240,000 people have crossed the border from Lebanon into Syria as of 3 October, including around 64,000 Lebanese citizens.

The regime has also emphasised its willingness to cooperate with various initiatives aimed at supporting the returnees. Analysts speculate that the decision to temporarily suspend the financial requirement may have been motivated by the regime's hope that allowing Syrians to return in larger numbers could attract more financial assistance, particularly from Arab states that have been pressuring Syria to facilitate the return of refugees.

Risks persist

While the regime's temporary suspension of the $100 exchange requirement may have removed one obstacle, significant dangers still loom for those returning to Syria. Most of the returnees thus far have been women and children, while many men have chosen to remain in Lebanon due to the potential risks they may face upon return. Some men have even resorted to using unofficial routes to re-enter Syria, hoping to avoid detection by Syrian security forces.

This reluctance among Syrian men stems from well-documented abuses—arbitrary detention, kidnapping, torture, and even killings—committed by Syrian security agencies. These violations, extensively documented by Human Rights Watch, continue to pose a serious threat to those considering return.

Despite the regime's widely publicised efforts to facilitate the return of refugees, these security concerns remain very real. Local Syrian organisations have recently documented the arrests of at least nine Syrian refugees, mostly from the Damascus countryside, on charges related to "mandatory military service and reserve obligations." This strongly indicate that the risk of arbitrary detention continues to hang over Syrians returning from Lebanon, casting doubt on the safety of their return.

As more Syrian refugees in Lebanon view returning to Syria as a gamble they are reluctantly willing to take for the safety of their families, the regime's declared commitment to facilitating their return must be rigorously tested. To ensure that refugees do not face their worst fears alone, it is crucial to establish strong, independent mechanisms to monitor their return and ensure their protection.

Without such safeguards, the risks for returning refugees remain severe, and the potential for further persecution cannot be ignored. The international community must remain vigilant in holding the Syrian government accountable for the safety and rights of those who return.