Naharnet

Syrians Flock to Lebanon after Damascus Bombing to Flee Their Country’s Unrest

The flow of Syrians flocking to Lebanon to escape their country’s unrest increased in light of Wednesday’s Damascus bombing that claimed the lives of three top security officials, reported the Central News Agency on Thursday.

Security sources told the news agency that the new wave of refugees includes several Lebanese students who were studying at the University of Damascus.

A spike in women and children refugees has also been noted, they added.

Several of the Syrians chose to head to southern Lebanon, especially the regions of Tyre, al-Zahrani, Bint Jbeil, and al-Nabatiyeh.

The sources said that some 400 refugees have sought refuge at residences of relatives living in Lebanon.

Lebanese party members who toured the regions of the South where the Syrians sought refuge have provided them with blankets, mattresses, and food.

Other refugees spent the night outdoors as they had no place to stay, continued the sources.

Lebanese students, affiliated with pro-Syrian regime parties, who returned to their country reportedly received threats from “masked forces” advising them against returning to Syria “otherwise they may face an unknown fate,” said the security sources.

The students described the situation in Damascus as “unbearable”, saying that they may be forced to enroll at Lebanese universities to continue their studies.

Syrian Defense Minister General Daoud Rajha, Syrian President Bashar Assad's brother-in-law Assef Shawkat, and General Hassan Turkmani, head of the regime's crisis cell on the Syrian uprising were killed in the Damascus bombing against the National Security building.


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