Forced Displacement as Refugee Return Amidst Regional War: The Plight of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon
Image focusing on the destruction and displacement in the region. It captures the sense of fragility and hope amidst the ongoing conflict. Source: Image generated using DALL·E by OpenAI on October 4, 2024.
by: Maissam Nimer | Özyeğin University
Israel’s recent escalation in Lebanon, including the reported assassination of top Hezbollah leaders such as Hassan Nasrallah, is not just another chapter in the region’s long history of conflict—it is a direct attack on the very fabric of Lebanese sovereignty and a further destabilization of an already fragile region. The assassination signals Israel's ongoing tactic of dismantling political movements that resist its occupation and expansionist policies, disregarding the broader consequences for civilians, governance, and regional stability.
Amidst these developments, some might see celebrations among Syrians in North West Syria as a sign that Israel’s attack on Lebanon is welcome by those in the region. For many displaced Syrians, the perceived weakening of Hezbollah, a key ally of the Assad regime, is a positive development, but this should not be taken as a sign that Israel’s actions are truly liberating. Rather, these celebrations only underscore the persistent deep frustration with not only the Syrian regime but also the broader geopolitical entanglements that have left their country in ruins.
However, while such a shift might spark hope, the reality for Syrian and other refugees in Lebanon remains dire. Israel’s aggression, underpinned by a strategy of regional domination, continues to create chaos, weakens the region, and prevents any meaningful political solutions from emerging. We are now seeing a flow of refugees returning from Lebanon to Syria, but the conditions under which they are returning are far from just or dignified. Many are being forced to leave due to unbearable conditions in Lebanon, where economic collapse, political dysfunction, increasing hostility towards refugees, and most recently Israeli bombings and the fear of prolonged war have made life unsustainable, through a circle of polycrisis.
While the Syrian government, under President Bashar al-Assad, has introduced measures to ease the process of return—such as exempting returnees from the border-crossing fee and issuing a general amnesty to its citizens—these gestures do not fundamentally alter the grim reality on the ground especially as they are contrasted with news of 9 Syrian returnees from Lebanon arrested by the regime. For the vast majority, returning to a Syria still under Assad’s control, amidst a broken infrastructure and a repressive political climate, remains far from a safe or dignified choice. These returns, often coerced, still do not meet international criteria for safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation. Returning to Syria under these conditions is a precarious gamble. The country remains a dangerous place, with ongoing repression, economic collapse, and the ever-present threat of further violence. Refugees are being pushed back into a situation where they are vulnerable to persecution, poverty, and renewed displacement.
For true refugee return to be viable, there must be a profound political shift in Syria—one that dismantles the current regime, addresses human rights violations, and allows Syrians to return on their own terms, with dignity and security. Until then, any return should be seen as a forced and precarious gamble, orchestrated by the same forces that perpetuate instability in the region.
The celebrations in North West Syria represent hope for some, but it is a fragile and uncertain hope. Israel’s continued aggression only reinforces the cycle of violence and displacement, keeping millions of refugees in limbo. The international community must demand an end to Israel’s destructive policies and focus on a political solution that places the rights and safety of displaced populations at the forefront—not as pawns in a geopolitical chess game.
Contact:
Maissam Nimer| Özyeğin University (OzU) | msnimer@gmail.com