Lebanon facilitates new round of voluntary returns for Syrian refugees
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Around 400 Syrian refugees returned on Thursday to their country from Lebanon, as the Lebanese General Security organized the sixth phase of the voluntary repatriation plan, according to official Lebanese media.
The return was carried out under Lebanon’s government-supervised program that coordinates with both the United Nations and the Syrian government to facilitate voluntary returns for refugees wishing to go back to their towns and cities across Syria.
Lebanese outlets reported that the convoy departed from the northern city of Tripoli toward the Arida Border Crossing, where the refugees entered Syrian territory under arrangements supervised by Lebanese and Syrian authorities. The operation forms part of a wider plan launched by Beirut to manage the gradual return of thousands of Syrian refugees who have been residing in Lebanon since the onset of the Syrian conflict in 2011.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) confirmed that organized returns remain ongoing, emphasizing that participation in such movements must remain voluntary and informed. The agency continues to monitor the process to ensure the safety and rights of returnees in accordance with international standards.
Lebanon, which hosts an estimated 1.5 million Syrians, has faced growing social and economic pressure in recent years. Authorities have reiterated their intention to continue the phased repatriation of those expressing a wish to return, while coordination continues with international agencies to address logistical and humanitarian aspects.
Thursday’s convoy marks the sixth organized return since the start of 2025, with further phases expected in the coming months, according to Lebanese officials.