Syrian families saying their goodbyes before boarding a "voluntary return" convoy on May 14, 2024, in Arsal, Baalbeck district. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/OLJ)
Last year, Khaled, a 37-year-old Syrian truck driver, living in Lebanon since 2017, was forcibly deported after being stopped at an army checkpoint in Kahaleh, in Mount Lebanon. Khaled, who had not renewed his residence permit for five years, “due to financial reasons and because no one wanted to sponsor him,” was imprisoned for three days. Once released, he was taken to the border with 10 other Syrian nationals and handed over to the Syrian authorities.Khaled, a father and breadwinner of his family, lived a nightmarish journey before he managed to arrive in his hometown, Raqqa, in the north-central part of Syria. “I was simply dropped off at the border, without any warning. I was separated from my family and couldn’t even pack a suitcase,” he told L’Orient-Le Jour from Raqqa. “It was a real tragedy,” added Khaled, whose wife and three...
Last year, Khaled, a 37-year-old Syrian truck driver, living in Lebanon since 2017, was forcibly deported after being stopped at an army checkpoint in Kahaleh, in Mount Lebanon. Khaled, who had not renewed his residence permit for five years, “due to financial reasons and because no one wanted to sponsor him,” was imprisoned for three days. Once released, he was taken to the border with 10 other Syrian nationals and handed over to the Syrian authorities.Khaled, a father and breadwinner of his family, lived a nightmarish journey before he managed to arrive in his hometown, Raqqa, in the north-central part of Syria. “I was simply dropped off at the border, without any warning. I was separated from my family and couldn’t even pack a suitcase,” he told L’Orient-Le Jour from Raqqa. “It was a real tragedy,” added Khaled, whose...
