Over 80,000 Syrians cross from Lebanon into Syria since early March – UNHCR
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Syria announced on Monday that more than 80,000 Syrians have crossed the border from Lebanon into Syria since March 2, amid ongoing Israeli bombardment in Lebanon.
UNHCR spokesperson Celine Schmitt said in remarks to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that the agency is working closely with the Syrian government at both central and local levels to provide necessary support to the arrivals.
Schmitt added that many of those crossing the border fled Lebanon quickly without taking their personal belongings after strikes occurred near their residences.
The shelling forced families to leave their homes and head to Syria, where many are staying with relatives.
She indicated that a large number of returnees are heading to Damascus and its countryside, as well as to Aleppo and the Aleppo countryside, Homs, Hama, and Daraa.
Earlier Monday, Mazen Alloush, Director of Public Relations at the General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, said that about 27,000 Syrian nationals had entered Syria from Lebanon through the Jousiah Border Crossing.
Alloush noted a “noticeable increase” in the number of arrivals in recent days, adding that the crossing is operating at maximum capacity to accommodate the growing waves of returnees.