The Action Group for Palestinians of Syria said that the displaced Palestinian-Syrians fear returning to their homes in the regime-held areas, most notably for reasons that threaten their lives and endanger their families.
The London-based monitoring group indicated that the arrest by the Assad regime’s security services constitutes the major concern for the Palestinian-Syrians, especially for those who were involved in the Syrian Revolution or who have relatives detained or wanted for the regime’s security agencies. Another reason discouraging the return is the compulsory military service in the Palestinian Liberation Army, which is allied with the Assad regime and recruits young people once they are 18 years old.
A survey of Palestinian-Syrians in Lebanon found out that 538 households cannot return to the regime-held areas due to serious concerns for their safety. Of these, 350 households have at least one member who is detained by the Assad regime, while 188 households said they will not return to avoid forced conscription
In an earlier survey, the Group said that 29 percent of those surveyed refused to return to the Yarmouk camp, adding that thousands of Palestinian-Syrians who are displaced to northern Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey are on the regime’s wanted list.
The Group indicated that at least 15 Palestinian-Syrians were detained at border crossings and at Damascus airport upon their return to Syria, the fate of some is still unknown. It also documented arrests of a number of Palestinian-Syrians despite having their status “settled” with the regime. (Source: SOC’s media department)
