Members of Syria’s Assad Family Detained in Lebanon 

BEIRUT, Lebanon (North Press) – Lebanese authorities detained members of the Assad family at Beirut International Airport on Friday for attempting to travel with forged passports, local media reported.

The detained individuals include the wife and daughter of Duraid al-Assad, son of Rifaat al-Assad, the uncle of Syria’s ousted president Bashar al-Assad. They were reportedly en route to Cairo when security officials discovered the fraudulent documents.

The Collapse of the Assad Regime

Following the fall of the Assad regime and the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, many former regime figures have become fugitives, sought for prosecution in Syria. The political and security landscape in the region has left prominent figures of the old regime scrambling for safe passage out of the country, often resorting to illegal means.

According to Lebanese media, the detained wife and daughter were accompanied by another family member carrying an authentic Syrian passport. The trio was intercepted by airport security, and the forged passports raised immediate suspicion during routine checks.

Legal Action Taken

The detainees have been referred to the Lebanese General Prosecutor’s Office, which ordered their detention pending investigation. The individuals are accused of violating Lebanon’s passport and immigration laws.

Lebanese security sources underscored the seriousness of the offense, reiterating that Lebanon would not tolerate the misuse of its territory or institutions for illegal activities.

“The manipulation of Lebanon’s security or violation of its laws will not be tolerated,” a senior security official said. “The General Security Directorate will remain vigilant against any such attempts.”

Ongoing Fallout from Syria’s Political Crisis

The detention highlights the broader consequences of Syria’s regime collapse. With former regime figures now targets of domestic and international legal actions, Lebanon has become a critical transit point for those attempting to flee.

Analysts suggest that the incident underscores the fragility of the Assad family’s remnants, as the regime’s collapse dismantled the power networks that once protected its members.

Lebanon, already grappling with its own economic and political instability, is increasingly cautious about its role as a haven or transit point for individuals fleeing justice in neighboring Syria.

Regional Implications

This event comes amid heightened scrutiny of Lebanese-Syrian relations, particularly as Lebanon has faced international pressure to enforce tighter border controls.

While the detained individuals await further legal proceedings, the incident serves as a reminder of the regional complexities following years of war and shifting power dynamics in Syria.

For Lebanon, the case is another example of the challenges it faces as it navigates the fallout from Syria’s ongoing political and humanitarian crisis.