By Zana al-Ali
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – Duaa al-Ahmad, a Syrian woman displaced from her homeland, is one of many refugees who fled Lebanon seeking safety and stability.
After living in a refugee camp in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley since 2015, where she and her family worked in local orchards, her immediate concern now is securing housing in Syria.
The displacement from Lebanon was triggered by escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, following nearly a year of cross-border skirmishes. The situation worsened with the outbreak of the Gaza war, intensifying the conflict and forcing many to flee in search of safety.
Fleeing escalating conflict
Al-Ahmad’s return was prompted by the intensifying violence between Israel and Hezbollah, which has escalated over the past year following cross-border skirmishes and, more recently, the outbreak of the Gaza war.
She recounted harrowing scenes of survival as she fled the camp amidst heavy bombardment.
“We were living in makeshift tents of nylon and wood when the shells started falling,” al-Ahmad said. “Shrapnel flew around us, and our tents caught fire, and some died right there.”
Al-Ahmad told North Press. “We left the camp with just the clothes on our backs.”
Al-Ahmad and her family spent 15 days in transit, often sleeping under trees to escape the falling debris. Their journey finally brought them to Raqqa, but not without immense hardship.
Barriers to returning home
Originally from the city of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) in Northeast Syria, al-Ahmad is unable to return to her hometown, which remains under the occupation of Turkey and the control of the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA).
She explained that male members of her family, including her husband, were forced to stay behind in Lebanon, unable to cross into Syria because they are wanted for military service by the Syrian government forces.
“The smugglers charged $400 for each of us to cross the border into Northeast Syria,” she added, a sum that was difficult to gather for many displaced families.
Relief and housing in Raqqa
Refugees returning from Lebanon have been gathering at social care centers in the city of Raqqa, northern Syria, to register for aid provided by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).
Abdul Rahim Muhammad, co-chair of Social Affairs and Labor Office of the AANES in Raqqa, said the administration is working to meet the essential needs of returnees.
“We are registering names as a first step to provide assistance, especially to those with housing in Raqqa or those staying with acquaintances,” Muhammad told North Press.
For those without a place to stay, Muhammad mentioned that the al-Adnaniyah camp is prepared to receive newcomers temporarily.
“We’re trying to assess immediate needs,” he said. “Some families have homes but lack basic supplies, while others have lost everything.”
Muhammad also emphasized that staying in the camp is voluntary, allowing those without housing or relatives to have a place of refuge.
Struggles and assistance for refugees
Jwan Mulla Ibrahim, member of the AANES team to receive the returnees, revealed the magnitude of the displacement. According to him, 2,690 returnees were registered arriving through the Tabqa Crossing, while 1,785 came through the al-Tayha Crossing.
The returnees face numerous challenges, including travel costs and navigating government checkpoints. Mulla Ibrahim said that Lebanese citizens were also among the displaced, with several being registered at the crossings. Their identification is verified before they are transported to shelter centers operated by the AANES teams.
While efforts are underway to coordinate transportation and support for the displaced, resources are limited due to the ongoing siege of the region.
Mulla Ibrahim called on international organizations to step in and provide much-needed assistance for the refugees returning from Lebanon.
Escalating regional tensions
The return of refugees from Lebanon comes amid a significant escalation in regional violence. Israeli airstrikes have targeted Hezbollah positions, resulting in dozens of casualties, including high-ranking officials.
In a significant development, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah was reportedly killed in a targeted strike on Sep. 27, following intercepted communications.
As tensions continue to mount, displaced Syrians like al-Ahmad find themselves caught between two conflicts—unable to return home and struggling to survive in a region burdened by war and limited resources.