The Syrian government has decided to impose strict visa requirements on Iraqi nationals effective 10 September. Under the new rules, Iraqi passport holders, except businessmen and academics, would be barred from entering Syria. However, there is no indication that Syria would force Iraqi refugees already in the country to leave. Ron Redmond, spokesperson for the UNHCR said the new regulations mean there is no longer a safe place where Iraqi refugees could flee to escape violence or persecution in their own country.
The UNHCR has devised a new system to notify Iraqi refugees in Syria about its food distribution program in the country. It has sent some 10,000 text messages to Iraqi refugees in Damascus who are eligible for the program. Many of the refugees have mobile phones, which they use to communicate with their family and friends.
Sources: Reuters, "UN alerts Iraqi refugees in Syria via text message," Daily Times, 2 September 2007; "Syria to restrict Iraqi refugee influx," The Sydney Morning Herald, 3 September 2007; Agencies, "Damascus restricts Iraqi refugee influx," Gulf News, 4 September 2007; Reuters, "Syria severely restricts Iraqi refugee influx," ABS-CBN News, 4 September 2007; AFP, "Visa curbs on Iraqis to continue, says Syria," The Peninsula, 8 September 2007; "Visa rules stop Iraqis' escape," China Daily, 12 September 2007