Egyptians call for a comprehensive review of the Syrian refugees situation

The tone of hostility against the Syrian refugees in Egypt has recently increased, which has been expressed by numerous semi-daily campaigns launched through social media websites, which carry counter-Syrian comments and calls, including campaigns of (Deport Syrian refugees for the sake of Egypt), (Egypt is for the Egyptians) and (Settling the refugees is a sin), etc. 

Usually, a problem which is associated with the Syrian presence in Egypt, was being raised from time to time, and it was being magnified until to dissipate and pass peacefully without any consequences, where it was being overcome by the brotherly relations between the Egyptian and the Syrian sides, but in the recent months these campaigns have been continuing almost daily, where social media websites have witnessed sharp and ongoing sparring about the situation of the Syrians. 

These campaigns have called for a comprehensive review of the situation of Syrian refugees, where the campaigners claim that “there are many Syrian refugees who have ties with (terrorist) organizations outside Egypt, and they have extensive ties with the Muslim Brotherhood Group, which the Egyptian authorities classify as a terrorist organization. 

So, it is necessary to do a comprehensive review for the situation of the Syrian refugees and to deport those who prove their relationship with any extremist organization or faction”.  

While it isn’t confirmed whether the concerned authorities will take such a step or not, which is a step that is strongly promoted by social media websites and figures who are affiliated with or close to the Egyptian Government. A security source in Cairo – who declined to be named – stressed in a statement to North-Press that “Some Syrians who have ties with the Muslim Brotherhood, terrorist groups and other factions have been observed in earlier periods. Of course, this doesn’t mean that all Syrians in Egypt have agendas, or they are supporters or affiliated to factions or groups. There are hundreds of thousands of Syrians who have illegally entered Egypt during the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood, which facilitated their entry and opened their borders, including those who have ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and execute the Turkish-Qatari agendas”. 

“In light of these data, the calls for deporting the Syrians and for a comprehensive review of their situation, especially those who entered illegally before June 2013, are being raised. Only the security apparatuses are able to implement that, and to sort out the Syrians who aren’t involved in supporting the Muslim Brotherhood from those who have ties with it and finance it through their business activities in Egypt”, he continued.   

The ball which is thrown by many campaigners in the court of the security apparatuses for doing a comprehensive review of the situation of the Syrian refugees, was also thrown to the court of the Egyptian Judiciary, which is studying the case no. 

49720/1973, which calls for “Obliging the authorities to issue an immediate decision to deport and exile the Syrians who are residing in Egypt, and are proved to have been entered the country illegally, or who are considered to be a threat to the national and economic security of Egypt, in addition to the Syrians who violate the conditions of residence in Egypt, and those who are affiliated to the Muslim Brotherhood or any terrorist and extremist organizations”. 

The Administrative Court of Justice had adjourned that case to October 19th for studying. 

According to the text of the case, “The displacement of Syrians to Egypt has increased after the isolated Muhammad Morsi had taken power in the country, where many Syrians who belong to the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria entered the Egyptian territories through facilities which were provided by the terrorist group, and most of them adopt the terrorist ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood, and this was clear through the attendance of thousands of the Syrians in the terrorist protest of Rabi’a and an-Nahda, and carrying weapons against the state’s institutions”.  

What is striking in the distorting campaigns that the Syrians are facing in Egypt, is that they rely on conflicting accusations. 

Some accuse Syrians in Egypt of supporting and financing the Muslim Brotherhood through the proceeds of the projects they launch in Egypt, while others accuse them contrarily that the Syrians receive foreign funds from the Muslim Brotherhood. Nabil Na’im, the founder of the Islamic Jihad Organization in Egypt and expert of the Islamic Groups Affairs, spoke to North-Press, and at the same time stressed that the accusations against the Syrians regarding “their ties with the Muslim Brotherhood are real. There are many things which confirm that, the Muslim Brotherhood supports many Syrians in Egypt and exploits them, and I am one of the witnesses to that through more than a case with many of the Syrians”.   

He pointed out that “The Muslim Brotherhood, especially the leaders who are in Turkey, support many Syrians who are residing in Egypt and who are loyal to the Brotherhood Group”.  

Observers interpret Egypt’s situation with regard to the stance of the Syrians which is to raise the issue from time to time, as it is “test balloons” if Cairo wants to encourage the safe return of the Syrians, in addition to some messages where Cairo is trying to send abroad in light of the pressure that the Syrians are facing in other countries, including Turkey and Lebanon for example.