Syrian refugees ordered out after clash with firefighters
DEIR AL-AHMAR, Lebanon — Dozens of Syrian refugees dismantled their tents, filled trucks with belongings and left a camp they lived in for years in eastern Lebanon on Sunday after local authorities ordered them to evacuate in the aftermath of a brawl with local firefighters.
Lebanese officials said they were trying to prevent revenge attacks and further tension after residents of the town threatened to storm the camp.
A curfew on the Syrians living in Deir alAhmar was put in place for two days and police patrolled the area.
“This is to ensure their safety and to stop the bloodshed,” said Jean Fakhry, a Lebanese municipal official in Deir al-Ahmar.
The evacuation of more than 90 tents reflects the growing tension in Lebanon over hosting more than 1 million Syrian refugees since 2011. A country of nearly 5 million, Lebapanic. non’s infrastructure and economy has been overwhelmed by the arrival of those fleeing the war next door.
Mostly impoverished and dispossessed, many settled in the country’s east, living in squalid camps and struggling to work and survive.
As Lebanon deals with an economic crunch, many Lebanese politicians and groups turned to Syrians, calling for them to go home saying the violence there is winding down.
Last week, a fire broke out on the hill overlooking the camp sparking When firefighters arrived, residents pelted their vehicle with stones over what they said was the rescuers’ late arrival. A brawl ensued and a firefighter was injured and tents were damaged.
The army arrived on the scene and arrested more than 30 Syrians. The camp residents fled and later, unknown assailants set three of the tents ablaze. The tensions led to the evacuation order and the lockdown on refugees in the area.