Syrian conflict spills over into Lebanon, as reported by Arsal.
Article:
Title: Life on Hold: Arsal, The Refugee Crossroad Caught in Conflict
Duration: 5 min.
Key Focus: Arsal, a small Lebanese town situated near the Syrian border, has become a significant refugee hotspot due to the ongoing Syrian War.
"Welcome to Arsal, one of the first towns where refugees took shelter," says Alaa Kadura from URDA SPAIN to the team from In the Spotlight. "It's barely twenty kilometers from the Syrian border, offering a stunning view of the valleys below," they add, pointing out that it's one of the few regions in Lebanon that has borne the brunt of the Syrian War for almost a decade.
The constant military checkpoints indicate the region's sensitivity. "Before the war, we had regular interactions with our neighbors in Syria. We shared borders with seven Syrian towns and the western Qalamoun region," notes Bassel Al Hujeiri, the Mayor of Arsal, from his office. However, everything changed when the Syrian War erupted, ten years ago.
As Alaa explains, many refugees arrived in Arsal through both legal and illegal routes. Thousands of them crossed via illegal paths and struggled to make it past the military checkpoints due to lacking proper documentation. "It feels like being in a prison," Saad, who was one of the first refugees, comments, lamenting his inability to visit his family in Lebanon despite being a Lebanese citizen.
Saad, who means happiness in Arabic, was a shepherd before the war struck Syria. "I was tending to my father's sheep when a bomb fell near us. I was injured in the arm and head," he says, as he gently touches a scar on his head. "We fled from Syria under constant bombings. Bombs were chasing us and falling right where we stood," Saad recalls, sharing his harrowing experiences.
Today, around 65,000 refugees reside in the 130 camps surrounding Arsal, making it the region with the highest proportion of Syrian refugees in all of Lebanon. "Two years ago, there were two Syrians for every Lebanese. But now, there's one Lebanese for every Syrian," asserts Alaa. The influx of refugees has put immense pressure on the town's infrastructure, including water, electricity, schools, and healthcare. Notably, there are only nine medical centers for thousands of refugees.
Unemployment in Arsal is estimated at 30% of the population, rising among the youth. Refugees often work as low-wage laborers, fueling tensions with the local residents. "I can't work in any way," Saad laments. "I had a job at a sawmill, but I had to leave due to back injuries. I'm married and my wife is pregnant. The baby will come, and I won't be able to provide anything because I don't have a job," he shares.
Between Tension and Conflict
Arsal has a tumultuous history. It became a combat zone during the Syrian War, with terrorist groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda crossing the border into Lebanon. The town was under siege for weeks and suffered constant bombings until Lebanese forces managed to expel the jihadists in 2017.
The invasion left its mark on Arsal, with many families experiencing devastating losses. Tarek and Isra Al Hujeiri, a local couple, share their harrowing experiences of the missile invasion that left Tarek without a leg and Israa with amputated toes. Despite the hardships, they and many others have remained resilient, refusing to leave their homes.
However, Arsal's reception of refugees has not always been welcomed by the rest of Lebanon. Residents have faced accusations of harboring terrorists, leading to political, social, and commercial isolation. The quarry, the main source of income for Arsal, ceased operations during the jihadist occupation, plunging the battered economy into deeper despair.
Despite these challenges, Saad remains hopeful. "I miss Syria, where I enjoyed a simple and happy life. I feel like I've been torn away from my mother's arms. One day, I will have to go back," he confesses. But for now, he remains trapped in limbo, unable to move forward nor return to his homeland.
- The influx of refugees in Arsal has led to an average unemployment rate of 30% among the population, causing tension with the local residents, particularly as many refugees work in low-wage laborer jobs.
- In the political landscape of Lebanon, Arsal, a significant refugee hotspot near the Syrian border, is often subjected to general-news discussions due to its ongoing challenges and tumultuous history, including conflicts with terrorist groups and the consequences of hosting a high proportion of Syrian refugees.
