Hassan Nasrallah of Hezbollah has warned of aiding Syrian refugees’ move to Europe if US and European sanctions on Syria persist, amid Lebanon’s struggles with hosting a high number of refugees.
On May 13, 2024, Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, threatened to facilitate the movement of millions of Syrian refugees from Lebanon to Europe if sanctions on Syria are not lifted by the US and European nations. In his televised speech, Nasrallah proposed a national decision to “open the sea” for refugees wishing to travel to Europe or Cyprus, underscoring that no force would be used against those unwilling to leave. This statement comes as Lebanon hosts approximately two million Syrian refugees, the highest per capita in the world.
Nasrallah’s announcement accompanied a broader critique of international policies contributing to Lebanon’s severe economic struggles and added pressure on its social infrastructure. He articulated the dire circumstances faced by refugees in Lebanon, including restrictive migration policies leading to dangerous attempts to cross the sea.
This development occurred alongside Lebanon’s ongoing dialogue with international stakeholders. Earlier in May, the EU pledged substantial aid to Lebanon, aimed at managing the refugee situation within its borders and preventing irregular migration.
In parallel, the situation remains tense along Lebanon’s borders, with continual military exchanges reported between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. Nasrallah simultaneously addressed the broader military conflict involving Israel and indicated significant regional instability affecting Lebanon.
This contentious proposal by Nasrallah has raised concerns about potential impacts on both European migration challenges and the precarious balance of international relations in the Middle East.