BEIRUT: Lebanon’s army has successfully thwarted an attempted migration operation near the northern border with Syria, resulting in the arrest of 134 migrants who were planning to take a boat to Europe, according to an official statement by the army.
The group, consisting of 130 Syrians and four Lebanese nationals, was apprehended in the coastal town of Sheikh Zennad in Akkar province, the army reported. Among those detained was also the mastermind behind the operation, identified as a Lebanese national.
In a separate incident, the Lebanese armed forces announced the arrest of 150 Syrians who had crossed into Lebanon illegally in another area of Akkar province.
Lebanon is grappling with an unprecedented economic crisis that the World Bank has labeled as one of the most severe in modern history. This dire economic situation has transformed the country into a departure point for migrants, with both its citizens and Syrian and Palestinian refugees seeking perilous sea routes to escape.
Refugee Population in Lebanon
Amid the economic turmoil, Lebanon has become home to a significant refugee population. Approximately two million Syrians are residing in the country, with over 800,000 registered with the United Nations. This makes Lebanon the nation with the highest number of refugees per capita globally.
Migrants departing from Lebanon often set their sights on Europe, with Cyprus, located just 175 kilometers (110 miles) away, being one of the primary destinations.
Tragically, such migration attempts have resulted in multiple devastating incidents. In September 2022, a boat carrying migrants from Lebanon capsized off the coast of Syria, leading to the recovery of at least 100 bodies. Similarly, in December 2022, a boat sank off Lebanon’s northern coast, causing the death of two migrants while around 200 were rescued.
