Iran Seeks to Protect Syrians Fleeing to Lebanon After Assad’s Fall

Last Update
01-Feb-2025
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Asharq Al-Awsat

Lebanese political and security circles were surprised by Iran’s apparent concern for Syrian refugees who fled to Lebanon after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. This raised suspicions that former Syrian regime figures might be in Lebanon and that Tehran is working to secure legal and security protection for them. However, sources revealed that Iran’s true objective is to provide a safe passage for Iranians in Syria, facilitating their transfer to Lebanon and eventual repatriation to Tehran via Beirut’s airport.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular and Parliamentary Affairs, Vahid Jalalzadeh, made an unexpected visit to Beirut, where he met with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib and General Security Chief Major General Elias Al-Baysari. During his visit, he called for international assistance for newly arrived Syrian refugees, hinting at their long-term stay in Lebanon.

Reports indicate that several high-ranking Syrian security officers fled to Lebanon following Assad’s downfall. A security source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Iran is concerned about their potential arrest and extradition to the new Syrian government. More importantly, Iran is working to secure the transfer of Iranians who were granted Syrian citizenship under Assad’s rule—many of whom reside in Damascus, particularly in Sayyida Zainab—so they can be repatriated to Tehran.

Lebanon has become a transit point for several figures from Assad’s former regime, including Rifaat al-Assad, Bouthaina Shaaban, and Maher al-Assad’s family. It is believed that some Syrian intelligence officers have also taken refuge in Lebanon under the protection of pro-Assad political parties. However, Lebanese security agencies deny any knowledge of their presence.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, a senior judicial source acknowledged the possibility that former Syrian security officials had entered Lebanon, possibly through illegal crossings. He confirmed that security forces had previously detained members of the Syrian Army’s Fourth Division, some of whom voluntarily returned to Syria while others left for third countries.

When asked whether the new Syrian government had requested Lebanon to extradite wanted officials, the source stated that no such request had been made. However, he emphasized that if any former Syrian regime officials were discovered in Lebanon, legal measures would be taken against them.

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