Syrian migrants intercepted by the Lebanese army off the coast of Arida, North Lebanon, April 16, 2022. (Photo: Lebanese Army website)
BEIRUT — The Lebanese Army declared in a statement that it intercepted a clandestine migration attempt Saturday, stopping a boat off the coast of Arida, North Lebanon, carrying twenty Syrian nationals.
Here’s what we know:
• The statement said the passengers included women and children. During the army intervention, four passengers went overboard in an effort to avoid returning to Lebanon but were quickly captured. The twenty were placed in the custody of the “relevant authorities” and an investigation is now underway, the statement concluded.
• Amidst ever-worsening economic conditions, clandestine migration by sea has increased in recent months. Many aspiring migrants, including Lebanese, do not hesitate to undertake the costly and perilous sea crossing to escape this country. Last October, Lebanese navy patrols arrested 54 people believed to be preparing to leave Lebanese territory illegally from Tripoli — renowned as the capital of north Lebanon, now known to be the country's poorest city. Similar attempts to flee this country were foiled in July 2021 off Tabarja, north of Beirut.