HERMEL, Lebanon: A walled compound in Lebanon housing hundreds of people who fled their homes in Syria after the fall of Bashar Assad over a year ago has drawn allegations that the residents are Assad loyalists, which they deny.
The attention on the compound in Hermel town highlights the sensitivities around Syria’s transformation after a long civil war, suspicions that can linger about identity and minorities’ fear of retaliation.
The Associated Press visited the 228-unit compound in northeastern Lebanon along Syria’s border. It is decorated with posters of Assad allies including Iranian religious leaders and generals as well as fallen commanders of Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group.
The residents of the Imam Ali Housing Compound are mostly Shiite Muslims. They include scores of Lebanese who had lived for generations in Syrian villages near the Lebanese border.
Army sweeps find no illegal activity
