Syria's Transitional Leaders Commit to Ensuring Safe Return of Soldiers Escaping to Iraq
Click to start listening
Damascus, Dec 19 (NationPress) Syria's transitional leaders have declared that military personnel and officers from the former regime who have sought refuge in Iraq are now encouraged to return without the fear of facing reprisals.
In an announcement made on Wednesday, the transitional authorities assured that military individuals who left for neighboring Iraq during the concluding phases of the previous government's collapse would not encounter any harassment or punishment upon their return.
They further stated that these returning personnel could utilize any border crossing, and that the transitional authorities would coordinate directly with the Iraqi government to simplify processes for their safe return.
No specific timeline was provided regarding when these returns might commence, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Over 1,000 members of the Syrian army crossed into Iraq via the Qaim border crossing on December 7, just a day prior to the ousting of the former Syrian government by militant factions, according to Iraq's official news agency INA. The Iraqi authorities emphasized that their presence is temporary until arrangements are finalized for their return.
Additionally, authorities reported a complex movement of displaced individuals across the Lebanon-Syria border.
According to OCHA, since December 8, Lebanese authorities have recorded fewer than 10,000 Syrian refugees returning from Lebanon to Syria.
In contrast, the UN Refugee Agency noted that Lebanese officials estimated that approximately 30,000 displaced individuals returned from Syria to Lebanon as of Friday, predominantly Syrian nationals but also including some Lebanese, since the cessation of hostilities was announced on November 27.
The International Organisation for Migration reported a dynamic situation with ongoing movements occurring daily through both formal and informal border crossings. Humanitarian sources indicated earlier that Syrian border officials had abandoned their posts following the takeover in Damascus.
