New Camp in Lebanon's Hermel Provides Refuge for Shiite Muslims Displaced from Syria
HERMEL, Lebanon — A newly inaugurated housing compound in this northeastern Lebanese town is now home to thousands of Shiite Muslims displaced from Syria, marking a significant step toward long-term stability for a community uprooted by conflict.
The residents arrived in Lebanon after the government of former President Bashar al-Assad was toppled by Sunni-led rebel forces in December 2024. For months, many lived in temporary shelters—including mosques, schools, and with relatives—while awaiting a more permanent solution.
That solution materialized in late 2025 with the opening of the Imam Ali Housing Compound. The project was funded primarily by Lebanon's Shiite militant group Hezbollah, alongside religious institutions from Iraq and Iran. The camp comprises nearly 230 housing units and currently shelters both Syrian refugees and displaced Lebanese families, reflecting the complex, cross-border nature of the region's humanitarian crises.
The establishment of the camp underscores the ongoing sectarian dimensions of the Syrian conflict and highlights the role of Shiite networks in providing aid. Analysts note that such projects also reinforce political and social ties between Shiite communities across the Levant and beyond.
— This gallery was curated by AP photo editors.
Reactions & Analysis
Maya Rashed, Humanitarian Worker in Beirut: "While any safe housing is welcome, we must ask if camps are a long-term solution. This sets a precedent for sectarian-based aid, which could deepen divisions in an already fragile Lebanon."
David Chen, Regional Analyst at the Gulf Institute: "The funding and operation of this camp by Hezbollah and Iranian-linked institutions is as much a political project as a humanitarian one. It consolidates influence and creates dependencies that will shape post-conflict Syria and Lebanon."
Samir Haddad, Former Resident of Homs Now in Hermel: "After two years sleeping on a school floor, my children finally have a door to close. This isn't just shelter—it's dignity. But it also feels like we're a pawn in a bigger game."
Layla Mansour, Activist & Blogger: "So Hezbollah and Iran are now saviors? Let's not forget their role in propping up Assad's brutal regime that caused this displacement in the first place. This isn't charity; it's damage control and recruitment wrapped in humanitarian paper."