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Amid escalating security concerns in the region and the circulation of sensitive information about alarming developments in northeastern Syria, the issue of the Lebanese-Syrian borders and refugee camps has resurfaced in the security debate. This return is accompanied by warnings of dire consequences if the official handling of the current situation continues with laxity or delay.
In this context, the General Coordinator of the National Campaign for the Return of Syrian Refugees, Maroun al-Khouli, expressed in an interview with , a deep concern among Lebanese circles regarding the news circulating about the escape of a number of elements of the so-called “Islamic State” organization from Al-Shaddadi prison in Al-Hasakah Governorate. He warned that the fragility of the security situation and the existing geographical overlap open the door to the possibility of extremist elements infiltrating the Lebanese interior through the borders.
Al-Khouli affirmed that the risk of security smuggling cannot be considered an unlikely assumption, given the presence of active networks operating across illegal crossings. He stressed that this requires, in his words, the highest levels of vigilance and readiness to protect national security and prevent any potential breaches or attempts to infiltrate refugee camps and exploit them as crossing points or safe havens.
He called on the Lebanese government to clearly assume its responsibilities by declaring a time-bound state of security emergency on the Lebanese-Syrian borders, intensifying field monitoring in accordance with legal procedures, and strengthening security measures around refugee camps, while emphasizing the need to respect the rights of civilians and not generalize suspicion.
He also called for raising the level of coordination between various security and military agencies, and unifying intelligence and proactive efforts to deal firmly with any potential terrorist threat, in parallel with direct security coordination with the Syrian side. He considered that this file transcends geographical boundaries and directly affects the national security of both countries.
Al-Khouli warned that the reality of refugee camps has become an increasing risk factor in itself, whether due to the difficulty of security control over them or due to the possibility of their infiltration by fleeing terrorist groups, which exposes Lebanon and the refugees alike to serious risks.
In this regard, he called for taking a sovereign and decisive decision to carry out the safe, rapid, and organized repatriation of Syrian refugees within a period not exceeding three months, in full coordination with the Syrian state and the relevant international bodies, to ensure a safe and dignified return and end the ongoing security, economic, and social drain.
He considered that combating terrorism is the responsibility of the state and its institutions, warning that any negligence or delay in taking preventive and proactive measures will put the government directly responsible for any potential security breach.
Al-Khouli concluded his speech by emphasizing that protecting Lebanon and the security of the Lebanese is a top priority that is not preceded by any other considerations, stressing that a serious, comprehensive, and coordinated treatment is the only way to close the gaps and prevent the most dangerous terrorist organizations from exploiting the current situation to undermine internal stability.
