Five years ago, Lebanese refugees who had fled the Israeli bombardment began returning home. Now, as violence perpetrated at the hands of Syria's government continue to kill people daily, Syrian citizens are fleeing to Lebanon in a sign that the ongoing violence in Syria sees no signs of ending. According to reports, the hundreds, possibly more, Syrians who have fled the country participated in a pro-democracy protest in Lebanon as Syrian government forces continued their onslaught against their fellow citizens back home, leaving at least five people dead, activists said. “At least 50 people have crossed into Lebanon from the border town of Hitt since Monday,” Mohmoud Ghazaal, mayor of Moqbeela village at the Lebanese-Syrian border region of Wadi Khaled, told the German Press Agency DPA. “The refugees arrived into Lebanon via the illegal crossing of Al-Nsoub,” he said. “One the refugees was wounded by gunshot fire in his leg and arms, but we managed to help him reach the first hospital for treatment,” added Ghazaal. Hitt is a town located in the Syrian region of Homs, which is close to the Lebanese northern border. Thousands of Syrians have fled into Lebanon in recent months, often using illegal border crossings, to flee the unrest engulfing their country. Human rights groups say the Syrian security forces have killed more than 2,200 civilians since the uprising erupted in mid March. The government's crackdown escalated at the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have used deadly force to prevent large gatherings at mosques during this holy Muslim month of fear they would turn into anti-government protests. BM
