Photos: Towards home and reunions, hundreds of Syrians leave Lebanon

By HT Correspondent

Updated On Jun 29, 2018 12:35 pm IST

Nearly 500 refugees started leaving the Lebanon border town of Arsal to cross into Syria on Thursday, a rare case of voluntary repatriation which the Lebanese government –host to around 1 million registered Syrians –wants to encourage. The refugees headed for Qalamoun, a region cleared of insurgents by Syrian army offensives. The group makes up a very small fraction of the registered Syrian refugee population across Lebanon, and of the 50,000 which local officials estimate live in Arsal. Around 3,000 have registered to return in batches in coming weeks.

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Hundreds of displaced Syrians left Lebanon for their war-torn homeland on Thursday in a repatriation that will reunite them with relatives they haven’t seen for years. But many are also leaving behind loved ones who are staying in the tiny Arab nation that has become home to the highest percentage of refugees in the world. (Bilal Hussein / AP)

Updated on Jun 29, 2018 12:35 pm IST

Hundreds of displaced Syrians left Lebanon for their war-torn homeland on Thursday in a repatriation that will reunite them with relatives they haven’t seen for years. But many are also leaving behind loved ones who are staying in the tiny Arab nation that has become home to the highest percentage of refugees in the world. (Bilal Hussein / AP)

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People gathered in minivans and tractors in the morning, loading them with mattresses, water tanks and furniture. Lama Fakih, deputy director of the Middle East region for Human Rights Watch, said Syrians are often driven to leave by “oppressive” living conditions in Lebanon, including a lack of residency rights, restrictions on their movement and inability to enrol children in school. (Bilal Hussein / AP)

Updated on Jun 29, 2018 12:35 pm IST

People gathered in minivans and tractors in the morning, loading them with mattresses, water tanks and furniture. Lama Fakih, deputy director of the Middle East region for Human Rights Watch, said Syrians are often driven to leave by “oppressive” living conditions in Lebanon, including a lack of residency rights, restrictions on their movement and inability to enrol children in school. (Bilal Hussein / AP)

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The small exodus is part of a repatriation program that the Lebanese government says is voluntary. Khaled Abdul-Aziz, a Syrian who heads a committee for the returnees, said 472 Syrians were expected to make the crossing after requesting permission from the Lebanese and Syrian governments. They are part of a total of 3,194 Syrians who have registered to return, he said. (Bilal Hussein / AP)

Updated on Jun 29, 2018 12:35 pm IST

The small exodus is part of a repatriation program that the Lebanese government says is voluntary. Khaled Abdul-Aziz, a Syrian who heads a committee for the returnees, said 472 Syrians were expected to make the crossing after requesting permission from the Lebanese and Syrian governments. They are part of a total of 3,194 Syrians who have registered to return, he said. (Bilal Hussein / AP)

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Mohammed Suleiman Darwish, 76, was among those who left this border town for Syria with his 9-year-old granddaughter, Israa, who has not seen her parents since 2013 and will meet younger siblings who were born while she sought safety in Lebanon. “I want to see them today,” said the green-eyed girl who seemed excited about the trip. (Mohamed Azakir / REUTERS)

Updated on Jun 29, 2018 12:35 pm IST

Mohammed Suleiman Darwish, 76, was among those who left this border town for Syria with his 9-year-old granddaughter, Israa, who has not seen her parents since 2013 and will meet younger siblings who were born while she sought safety in Lebanon. “I want to see them today,” said the green-eyed girl who seemed excited about the trip. (Mohamed Azakir / REUTERS)

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Syrian refugee children look happy, as they prepare to return to their homeland. Lebanon hosts around 1 million registered Syrians — roughly a quarter of Lebanon’s population — and officials have said that the country can no longer afford the strain on its fragile economy. (Mohamed Azakir / REUTERS)

Updated on Jun 29, 2018 12:35 pm IST

Syrian refugee children look happy, as they prepare to return to their homeland. Lebanon hosts around 1 million registered Syrians — roughly a quarter of Lebanon’s population — and officials have said that the country can no longer afford the strain on its fragile economy. (Mohamed Azakir / REUTERS)

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Syrian refugees in a pickup truck get ready to cross into Syria. The UN refugee agency “is fully respectful of the decision of the Lebanese government and we fully respect the decision of the families to return. We don’t interfere,” said Josep Zapater, head of the UNHCR office in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley. (Bilal Hussein / AP)

Updated on Jun 29, 2018 12:35 pm IST

Syrian refugees in a pickup truck get ready to cross into Syria. The UN refugee agency “is fully respectful of the decision of the Lebanese government and we fully respect the decision of the families to return. We don’t interfere,” said Josep Zapater, head of the UNHCR office in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley. (Bilal Hussein / AP)

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Lebanon’s government has argued that many areas in Syria have become stable enough for refugees to return. The Syrian army, backed by allies Russia and Iran, has regained more territory from rebels, But the UN is cautious, saying Syria is not yet safe. (Bilal Hussein / AP)

Updated on Jun 29, 2018 12:35 pm IST

Lebanon’s government has argued that many areas in Syria have become stable enough for refugees to return. The Syrian army, backed by allies Russia and Iran, has regained more territory from rebels, But the UN is cautious, saying Syria is not yet safe. (Bilal Hussein / AP)

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The refugees seen gathered in the Wadi Hmeid area of Arsal, where Lebanese security officers check their IDs against a list before allowing passage into Syria. Lebanon’s general security chief Abbas Ibrahim said that the UNHCR has been notified about the return of the Syrians “so they can bear their responsibility.” (Bilal Hussein / AP)

Updated on Jun 29, 2018 12:35 pm IST

The refugees seen gathered in the Wadi Hmeid area of Arsal, where Lebanese security officers check their IDs against a list before allowing passage into Syria. Lebanon’s general security chief Abbas Ibrahim said that the UNHCR has been notified about the return of the Syrians “so they can bear their responsibility.” (Bilal Hussein / AP)

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Those going back said they were promised respite form a military draft for six months after their return. “I am really scared about joining army, but the situation in Syria now is more safe,” said Salah-Eddine Abdul-Aziz, 26, heading to his hometown of Fleeta with his wife and son. “All I want is to return to Syria and not leave it again. Enough of being a refugee.” (Bilal Hussein / AP)

Updated on Jun 29, 2018 12:35 pm IST

Those going back said they were promised respite form a military draft for six months after their return. “I am really scared about joining army, but the situation in Syria now is more safe,” said Salah-Eddine Abdul-Aziz, 26, heading to his hometown of Fleeta with his wife and son. “All I want is to return to Syria and not leave it again. Enough of being a refugee.” (Bilal Hussein / AP)

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