Desperate Syrians flee Daraa only to find closed borders
As the Syrian regime's offensive escalates in Daraa, refugees are sleeping out in the open as both Jordan and Israel refuse to open their borders.
ALEPPO, Syria — The Syrian regime has intensified its airstrikes in the city of Daraa and eastern Daraa province in recent days. The offensive on Daraa started in mid-June, sending more than 300,000 refugees fleeing toward the Israeli and Jordanian borders. Both countries are keeping their land borders closed to refugees, allowing in only special cases.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said July 2 that Daraa towns and villages have been emptied of their residents, and refugees are sleeping out in the open along the border areas.
Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee said June 29 on his Facebook page that the Israeli army carried out a special operation in four areas in the Syrian Golan Heights to transfer humanitarian aid for civilians fleeing southern Syria. The aid included 300 tents, 13 tons of food, 30 tons of clothing and footwear, as well as three pallets loaded with medical supplies. Adraee stressed that the Israeli army will continue to enforce its borders.
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman echoed that stance in a June 29 tweet: “We are closely monitoring events in southern Syria. We will guard Israel’s security interests. As always, we will be ready to provide humanitarian aid to civilians, women and children, but we will not accept any Syrian refugee to our territory.”
