AANES prepares to receive 50,000 refugees from Lebanon
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – An official from the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) stated on Wednesday that they expect to receive more than 50,000 displaced people fleeing the ongoing war in Lebanon into their areas in Northeast Syria.
Farouq al-Mashi, Co-Chair of the Social Affairs and Labor Board in the AANES, said that between 2,500 and 3,000 returnees and refugees from Lebanon enter the AANES-run areas daily.
“All our crossings are open 24 hours a day to accommodate those fleeing the conflict in Lebanon,” al-Mashi said.
The displaced individuals are primarily being received at the Abu Kahf Crossing in the city of Manbij and at the Tabqa Crossing in Raqqa Governorate.
Although the AANES is providing medical services and essential supplies at the crossings, al-Mashi noted that the administration faces significant challenges in delivering the level of aid required for the growing number of refugees.
“There is an urgent need for new tents, especially as we are approaching winter,” he emphasized. “We are forced to repair worn-out and damaged tents due to weather conditions, as long as new tents remain unavailable.”
Al-Mashi also revealed that the AANES has held meetings with international organizations working in the region, but only a small number of them have provided support.
The official called on the UNHCR and international humanitarian organizations to offer more assistance, stressing that the influx of refugees continues and the region is already suffering from a shortage of aid due to the closure of official crossings.
So far, more than 18,000 people have arrived from Lebanon, including 85 Lebanese nationals, according to the AANES data.