In this picture taken on June 13, 2023, a Syrian woman walks between tents at a refugee camp in Saadnayel in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. (PHOTO / AFP)
BEIRUT – The Lebanese army on Saturday arrested 49 Syrian nationals at a northern checkpoint, foiling their attempt to illegally migrate by sea toward Europe, the National News Agency reported.
The 49 migrants, including women and children, were arrested at the Deir Ammar Checkpoint while on their way to Lebanon's northern city of Batroun.
Lebanon has been suffering an unprecedented crisis that has forced hundreds of refugees to escape the country illegally
The army also arrested another five Syrians for planning the illegal trip from Batroun.
Lebanon's state security has been exerting considerable efforts to thwart illegal migration attempts, which led to a tragic boat sinking incident off the coast of the northern city of Tripoli last year, killing over 30 on board.
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Lebanon has been suffering an unprecedented crisis that has forced hundreds of refugees to escape the country illegally.