Agence France-Presse reported that the Lebanese army has deported more than 50 Syrian refugees from Lebanon in the past two weeks.
“The Intelligence Directorate in the Lebanese army is handing over the violating detainees to the Black Border Regiment, which deals with their settlements outside the Lebanese borders,” the agency said, as quoted by a security and military source.
The military official explained that “detention centers are full” regarding this step and that other security units refused to hand over Syrian detainees.
Two sources said Lebanese authorities did not coordinate their efforts with Damascus and confirmed that a number of deported refugees returned to Lebanon with the help of smugglers for $100 per person.
A humanitarian source said the military’s intelligence services have noticed an increase in the number of raids on Syrians in Beirut and Mount Lebanon since the beginning of this month.
“There were at least 5 raids in 2023,” he added, adding that about 450 Syrians have been arrested and at least 66 Syrians have been confirmed to have been deported.
