DAMASCUS, 18 September 2007 (IRIN) - Iraqis are once again crossing into Syria in large numbers, taking advantage of the Syrian government's relaxation, for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, of newly-introduced visa regulations that prevent asylum seekers from Iraq entering the country.
According to Syrian witnesses working at the main border crossing of Al-Tanf, over 1,000 Iraqi refugees are now making their way into Syria each day.
While the number is down on the more than 2,000 that arrived daily prior to the introduction of the new visa restrictions, it marks a substantial increase on the trickle that entered after the implementation of the new system.
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Damascus, the Al-Tanf border crossing was "virtually empty" following the introduction of the new regulations, with one official saying only five Iraqis crossed on one day.
On 10 September the Syrian government introduced visa regulations in an effort to stem the influx of Iraqi refugees into the country, who currently number 1.5 million and are placing huge pressures on domestic services. Under the new system only Iraqis carrying a visa for education, business or scientific reasons will be permitted entry into Syria.
Ramadan reprieve
Speaking to IRIN from the Syria-Iraq border one Iraqi refugee, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed his delight at the Ramadan reprieve. Forced to travel to Baghdad briefly for personal reasons, the relaxation of the law during Ramadan meant he was able to return to the safety of Syria.
"It is a huge relief. Before, I did not know if I was going to be able to return to Syria and it was very scary. But now, so long as I come back before the end of Ramadan, I know I can get back in," he said.
Syrian government officials said the relaxation of visa restrictions during Ramadan was intended to allow families to meet during the month of fasting.
However, the officials confirmed that visa restrictions will be reintroduced after Eid al-Fitr, which will mark the end of Ramadan around 13 October. A spokesperson for the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC) in Syria, who requested anonymity, also confirmed that visa restrictions would be applied after the end of Ramadan. The SIIC has conferred closely with the Syrian government on the visa issue.
The UNHCR has expressed fears for Iraqis displaced by the ongoing violence in their country, given the Syrian decision.
"The regulations effectively mean there is no longer a safe place outside for Iraqis fleeing persecution and violence. An estimated 2,000 Iraqis flee their homes daily inside the country, so we are increasingly concerned about their fate as their options for safety are reduced," said UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond in Geneva last week.
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