What are the reasons that prompted some new refugees to escape from Syria to Lebanon?

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee Affairs (Commission) Kelly T. concluded. Clement, a five -day visit to Lebanon and Syria, calling on the international community to “support the efforts made to bring peace and stability in Syria, and end the displacement and suffering of millions of Syrians.” It also called for continuing to support the host countries for Syrian refugees, including Lebanon.

A statement to the Commission indicated that Clemens “met during her visit, with Lebanese and Syrian officials, and refugees who recently returned to Syria, in addition to refugees who had recently arrived in Lebanon. In the Bekaa, in eastern Lebanon, the Syrian refugees expressed their wishes to return, their hopes and concerns of Mrs. Clemens.”
The statement pointed out that “about 850,000 Syrians returned to their country from neighboring countries since the fall of the Assad regime in December last year.
He stated that “in Lebanon, Mrs. Clemens met Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Mitri, General Director of Public Security, Major General Hassan Shuqair, and Minister of Social Affairs Hanin Al -Sayed.
He pointed out that “nearly 200,000 Syrian refugees returned from Lebanon to Syria by 2025, and a greater number of them expressed their intention to return during the next few months, especially after the Lebanese authorities temporarily pardoned those who exceeded the period of their stay from the departure fees.”
The statement indicated that Clemens “also met with a group of Syrian refugees who arrived in Lebanon during the past few months to escape the recent violence in Syria.”
“It was a dynamic period, as we witnessed the return of the Syrians and a new displacement for others,” said Clemens.
She added: “We rely on the international community to continue supporting Lebanon and the work of the Commission here. Neighboring countries are still hosting millions of Syrian refugees, so the world must not forget them, and any return, safe, and generous return must be.”
The statement pointed out that “in Syria, Clemens met the Syrian Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Hind Qibbat, in addition to the governors of Homs and Idlib and newly returned refugees who talked about their hopes of rebuilding their lives in their homeland and rebuilding their country. The families who returned also explained the various challenges they faced upon their return. Reconstruction, despite the harsh reality of destruction and lack of services after 14 years of war.
He stated that “the Commission and its partners in Syria sought their support programs to include the areas that are witnessing large numbers of returnees, to help families face the challenges they face. During their visit to the countryside of Damascus, specifically in the villages of Zebdin and Maliha, Mrs. Clemens visited returning families who got assistance in the field of shelter, and others supported by the commission to start small businesses.”
He pointed out that “in Ma`rat al -Numan in Idlib Governorate, Mrs. Clemens, accompanied by the governor of Idlib, opened the newly rehabilitated civil registry office with the support of the Commission to facilitate the return of returnees and residents of legal documents. At the Al -Josa border crossing, where the Commission provided support for registration and rehabilitation services, Mrs. Clemens met the Syrian refugees returning to their country For the first time in years. ”
“The international community cannot be satisfied with the role of the observer who evaluates developments in Syria, it must play an active role in supporting stability and recovery efforts, helping the Syrians to rebuild their country and drawing its features. The Commission and its partners work on the ground to play its role, but there is still a lot to do, and the international community’s commitment to support these efforts is very important.”
The statement stated that “since 2024, more than 1.2 million Syrians have returned to Syria. Meanwhile, internal return continues, as 1,763,513 displaced people have returned internally since late November 2024, including 880,058 people who left the sites of the displaced in the north of the country.”