BEIRUT – Some 50 Syrian families who had found refuge in Lebanon have returned to their homes in a village located near the border, escorted by military units and members of the Lebanese intelligence services, according to the Lebanese Armed Forces on Saturday.

The armed forces said that the families were transferred to Assal al-Ward village in civilian vehicles through Arsal Mountains in northeastern Lebanon to the border with Syria.

Lebanese media quoted deputy mayor of Arsal Rima Karnabi as saying that the return of the refugees was a result of the efforts undertaken by the reconciliation committee, without giving further details.

The media added that the convoy had more than 400 people; the family members who fled Syria due to the war that erupted in 2011.

Additionally, Lebanese officials estimated that between 1.5 and 2 million Syrians were in Lebanon, while the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has just over a million people registered.

The region of Arsal, bordering Syria, has been the scene of tensions due to the presence of a large number of refugees, as well as armed groups that infiltrate through the neighboring country.

The security situation has deteriorated in Lebanon, especially in the north and northeast of the country, since the outbreak of the armed conflict on the other side of the border.