Syrian Refugees Leave Lebanon’s Deir Al-Ahmar after Decision to Dismantle their Camp

A Syrian refugee woman walks in a makeshift refugee camp in the eastern Lebanese town of Dalhamiyah on May 30, 2014 (AFP Photo/Anwar Amro)
A Syrian refugee woman walks in a makeshift refugee camp in the eastern Lebanese town of Dalhamiyah on May 30, 2014 (AFP Photo/Anwar Amro)
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Syrian Refugees Leave Lebanon’s Deir Al-Ahmar after Decision to Dismantle their Camp

A Syrian refugee woman walks in a makeshift refugee camp in the eastern Lebanese town of Dalhamiyah on May 30, 2014 (AFP Photo/Anwar Amro)
A Syrian refugee woman walks in a makeshift refugee camp in the eastern Lebanese town of Dalhamiyah on May 30, 2014 (AFP Photo/Anwar Amro)

The tents of Syrian refugees were quickly removed on Friday from the Caritas camp in Baalbek’s Deir al-Ahmar, after three tents were set on fire overnight by unidentified men.

“More than 700 refugees were given a deadline until Friday night to remove their belongings from the tents before the camp’s closure,” refugees told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Syrians at the camp were seen on Friday moving their belongings to vacant areas in the plains.

Reports said most refugees decided to later head to the town of Iaat, east of Deir al-Ahmar.

“If we don’t follow the restrictions, then they are going to burn down all the tents, the same way the three first tents were burnt last Thursday,” a woman told Asharq Al-Awsat.

A decision to close the camp was taken by local authorities after a Lebanese civil defense member was attacked by a number of Syrian youths who threw stones at him and at his vehicle as he was trying to extinguish a fire near their camp at the entrance of Deir al-Ahmar on Wednesday.

The town’s mayor, Latif Al Kuzah, and other officials had given the refugees until Friday night to leave the camp, which included 120 tents of refugees who had fled Raqqa, Deir Ezzor and Aleppo in northern Syria.

Immediately, the army raided the camp and arrested 33 Syrians.

On Friday, Baalbeck-Hermel Governor Bashir Khodr toured the camp.

“It is true that unidentified people threw at night a grenade that set two tents on fire, however, our priority is to keep security, safeguard civil peace and implement the law,” he said.

The governor praised the wisdom of Deir al-Ahmar residents who allowed the refugees to remove their belongings and take them elsewhere. “We will launch an investigation into what happened,” Khodr added.

Last Wednesday, the governor banned all movement of Syrian refugees in the area.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that residents rejected a proposal to replace the camp by another.



Berlin Says Situation in Gaza ‘Unbearable’, Calls for Ceasefire

 Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)
Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)
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Berlin Says Situation in Gaza ‘Unbearable’, Calls for Ceasefire

 Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)
Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)

Germany's new top diplomat Johann Wadephul called on Saturday for "serious discussions for a ceasefire" in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation "is now unbearable".

Ahead of a visit to Israel, Wadephul said it was "imperative to start" talks "to free all hostages and to ensure that supplies reach the population of Gaza", according to comments reported by his ministry.

While reaffirming Germany's unwavering support for Israel, the official said he would "inquire about the strategic objective of the fighting that has intensified since March".

In Israel, Wadephul is expected to meet his counterpart Gideon Saar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

Israel's military resumed its offensive on the Gaza Strip on March 18, ending a two-month truce that saw a surge in aid into the war-ravaged territory and the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

On Tuesday, new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz voiced "considerable concern" about the Gaza conflict and demanded that Israel "respect its humanitarian obligations".

The Gaza Strip, where nearly all 2.4 million inhabitants have been displaced at least once during the war sparked by Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel, has been subjected to a strict blockade since March 2 and is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis.

Israeli authorities claim that the blockade aims to compel Hamas to release hostages.

"In the West Bank as well, Palestinians need political and economic future prospects so that hatred and extremism no longer find fertile grounds," Wadephul said.

His visit comes at a time when Israel and Germany are preparing to celebrate 60 years of joint diplomatic relations.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected in Berlin on Monday, while his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier will visit Israel on Tuesday.