Syrian nationals at the Masnaa border crossing in the Bekaa, Dec. 8, 2024. (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L'Orient Today)
General Security has announced that it now has the situation under control at the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing between Syria and Lebanon (on the Syrian side, opposite Anjar in the Bekaa), in cooperation with the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces (ISF). This follows attempts by a significant number of Syrian nationals to enter Lebanon illegally, fleeing Syria after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to the official National News Agency (NNA). General Security oversees entry and exit procedures.
"Due to the absence of Syrian General Security at the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing, a large number of Syrians flocked to the Masnaa border crossing [on the Lebanese side, in the Bekaa]. Some attempted to force entry without following General Security’s procedures," the agency said in a statement.
General Security confirmed that it sent those in violation back to Syrian territory and allowed entry only to individuals meeting the necessary conditions.
Lebanon's caretaker Interior Minister, Bassam Mawlawi, visited the Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria on Monday to "monitor the situation" of Syrians crossing the border.
According to the official National News Agency (NNA), Mawlawi urged General Security, which handles entry and exit procedures, to "take urgent measures to prevent illegal entry attempts by Syrians" fleeing Syria. He also called for immediate reinforcements to bolster staffing levels. As part of these efforts, Mawlawi instructed the Internal Security Forces (ISF) to deploy additional units, including a motorized unit, to monitor the crossing and establish more roadblocks.
Since Sunday, hundreds of Syrians have gathered on both sides of the border. On the Lebanese side, refugees and migrants are seeking to return to Syria after the regime's collapse, while on the Syrian side, others are attempting to flee the advancing rebels.
In this context, the Lebanese Army has arrested a significant number of Syrians attempting to cross into Lebanon illegally between Masnaa and the Anjar valley, according to our correspondent in the Bekaa. The exact number of arrests has not been confirmed yet.
