Lebanon Expels Around 70 Syrian Officers and Soldiers Amid Ongoing Political Unrest

Lebanon took decisive action on Saturday by expelling around 70 Syrian officers and soldiers who had entered the country illegally via informal routes. The move comes amid the recent political upheaval in Syria, following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8. Many high-ranking Syrian officials and those closely associated with the Assad family fled to neighboring Lebanon as the situation in Syria intensified.

According to a Lebanese security official, the detained Syrian military personnel, who were of various ranks, were sent back to Syria via Lebanon's northern Arida crossing. The returnees were reportedly detained by Syria’s new ruling authorities after crossing the border. The new Syrian administration has been conducting a major security crackdown in the aftermath of Assad’s ousting, targeting alleged "remnants" of the former regime in areas such as Homs and Tartous, which are near the porous border with Lebanon.

Among the expelled individuals was Rifaat al-Assad, the uncle of the ousted president, who is currently facing war crimes charges in Switzerland for his role in the violent suppression of a revolt in 1982. Reports also indicate that Rifaat al-Assad, along with several other members of the Assad family, recently fled Lebanon for Dubai.

The expulsion of these individuals highlights the broader regional tensions and the shifting political landscape in Syria. The Lebanese government has not yet issued an official statement on the matter, and both Lebanese and Syrian officials have remained tight-lipped in response to inquiries.

In a related story, Asma al-Assad, the wife of the recently deposed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, has been diagnosed with leukemia, with doctors reportedly giving her a "50/50" chance of survival. Asma's condition is being closely monitored, and she has been kept isolated to avoid infections, according to sources close to the family.

Asma, who had previously battled and recovered from breast cancer, now faces a new health challenge that has left her family deeply concerned. Her father, Fawaz Akhras, has been reportedly providing care for her in Moscow, where the family is currently residing.

Asma’s situation has been complicated by the political turmoil in Syria. Following the regime's collapse, there are reports suggesting that she has sought a divorce from her husband and has filed for special permission to leave Russia. She is reportedly seeking to move to London, although British authorities have expressed that she is no longer welcome in the country.

Asma, a dual British-Syrian national, married Bashar al-Assad in 2000 and became one of the most prominent figures in the Syrian regime. However, her political and personal life has been deeply affected by the ongoing conflict and the recent shift in power in Syria.