The ongoing conflict in Syria is having an effect on the stability of Lebanon. The security situation in the region is still not predictable, and it could change quickly or not at all. Political changes in the area and international events could lead to large protests or violence. A lot of planned and on-the-spot protests happen. Violent incidents linked to Syria happen all over Lebanon, including:
- bombs for cars
- attacks with an improvised explosive device (IED).
- The rocket attacks
There are anti-government protests. Some of the protests have turned into fights between protesters and security forces.
Authorities use a lot of different things to break up crowds, like:
- Water guns,
- Tear gas,
- Live ammunition
This has led to injuries.
The use of weapons can happen at public protests and events that attract a lot of people. You could be caught in a fight with someone else.
Do this when there is a lot of trouble in your country:
- Keep away from crowds, protests, and demonstrations at all costs
- Pay a lot of attention to your own security.
- Check out the news and other sources to find out about planned and possible actions.
- Avoid areas where there has been or is likely to be violence.
- Plan your activities to avoid possible unrest on days of national significance.
- Change your plans if there are problems with your trip.
If you live in an area where there have been fights:
Stay inside and follow the advice of your local government.
Stay inside during celebratory gunfire, which happens a lot during and after speeches by politicians, because it can be dangerous.
The airline, travel agent, or insurance company you use can help you if there are problems with transportation.
If you’re afraid for your safety, leave Lebanon.
There is more:
Beirut
In times of civil unrest, stay away from parts of Beirut where protests are known to happen.
In Beirut, sometimes protests stop the main roads. protests are held against:
- The government’s rules
- What is going on in Syria
- The environment for security
Civil unrest can cause problems on the highways between central Beirut and the airport in the city.
Beirut’s southern suburbs (Dahiyeh area)
Don’t go to the Dahiyeh area, which includes:
Area from Camille Chamoun Sports Stadium to the airport south of the stadium (south from Adnon El Hakim Road to Abbas El Mousawi Road). All the suburbs that aren’t on the main road to the airport: Chiyah, Ghobeire, Haret Hreik, Bir el Barajne, Mraije, Lailake, Hay el Sellom, Tahouivit el Ghadir, and Bir Hassan are in this group. The Coral Beach Hotel is not in this group.
An airport highway isn’t in this part of town (Hafez El Assad).
Security in the area isn’t stable yet.
There are Palestinian refugee camps in United Stateses.
People who live in refugee camps for Palestinians should not visit them in any part of Lebanon,
Extremist groups work inside of camps. The security situation isn’t clear, and it could get worse at any time.
People who live in the camps don’t get security from the state of Lebanon, so there isn’t any. Armed fights between rival groups happen all the time. It’s very common for people to get into fights and fight back.
Tripoli and the north of Lebanon
Don’t go to the Jabal Mohsen and Bab-al-Tabbaneh neighbourhoods in Tripoli. More than 200 people were killed in violent clashes in the early stages of the Syrian war. Even though there was a lot of violence in late 2014, there is still a lot of risk of civil unrest.
4 members of the security service were killed by a lone wolf terrorist attack in Tripoli, Libya, in 2019.
They say extremists have taken refuge in northern Lebanon, including all over the Akkar district.
Valley: North-east Beka’a
Don’t go to the north-eastern part of the Beka’a Valley, which goes east and north from Rayak. This also has:
Three cities in the Hermel-Baalbek area are Arsal, El Qaa, and Ras Baalbek:
There could be fights between Lebanese security forces and militants.
The conflict in Syria has led to a lot of violence in these areas, including:
- The suicide bombings
- a rocket attack on a plane
- IEDs try to kidnap people.
- Besides the Beka’a Valley, there are other parts.
Check out the Beka’a valley, south of Zahle and Rayak, where security isn’t sure.
A roadside bomb went off in Zahle in August 2016. It killed two people and injured a lot of other people.
Within 5 km of the Syrian border, there are areas.
Don’t go within 5 km of the border with Syria, like:
north of the road that goes from Halba to Qoubaiyat. Shebaa Farms in the Golan Heights and Akkar Arsal Hermel Wadi Khaled are in Shebaa Farm
The conflict in Syria has caused a lot of violence in these places.
Lebanon in the south
Don’t go south of the Litani River, except to Tyre. The risk of war is very high.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is still doing peacekeeping work south of the Litani River because there are still a lot of problein the Tire region, which are has had some recent security problems. If you go Pay
- pay a lot of attention to your own security.
- keep an eye on the media changes.ges
- follow the advice of your local government.
When you enter and leave Tyre, stay on the main highway north of the city.
Israeli soldiers are in the town of Ghajar, which is on the border with the southern town. There are still tensions in the area around the Shebaa Farms, where military activities took place on July 27, 2020. Shelling has been said to be going Although the presence of the Lebanese Armed Forces and United Nations peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon has made the area more secure, there could still be more fights. We don’t know what will happen next.
There is a chance that you could get caught up in violence directed at someone else.
Avoid areas where there is a lot of military activity. Be ready to leave quickly.
Sidon
Sidon is a dangerous city. In the past, there has been a lot of fighting between Lebanesenon army and the militias that live in the area.
Keep away from the Palestinian refugee camp of Ein El-Hilweh, because it is dangerous. Heavy weapons and snipers have been used there. Many people have died or been hurt.
