Rescue of a Boat with 54 People in Tripoli

The Lebanese naval forces were able to rescue a boat carrying 54 people, including men, women, and children, all of Syrian nationality, who had left illegally from the northern coast of Lebanon towards Cyprus. The boat encountered a malfunction at sea, several miles offshore, and was towed back to Lebanon. The boat and its passengers were taken to the port of Tripoli, where first aid was provided to them by the Lebanese Red Cross teams. The army's leadership – Directorate of Guidance issued the following statement: "On December 26, 2023, upon receiving information about a boat sinking off the coast of Al-Aryda while being used to smuggle people illegally, a patrol from the naval forces was able to rescue 54 people, including women and children, all of whom were of Syrian nationality. The army assisted them with the help of a team from the Lebanese Red Cross."