A new wave of refugees are fleeing Syria amid several days of sectarian-driven killings mainly targeting Alawites, and in some cases Christians, along the coastal areas in Tartus and Latakia governates. Fresh reports say that over 10,000 Syrians have entered the Lebanese region of Akkar as nearly 20 villages have opened up to the displaced. More are said to be headed further south to the large Lebanese city of Tripoli. Though Tripoli has long been Lebanon’s Sunni stronghold, one of its neighborhoods, Jabal Mohsen, has a large Alawite population – where many of the refugees are believed headed, possibly connecting with friends or relatives as well. However, this could create new tensions in Lebanon, given that historically Lebanese and Syrians don’t get along very well, and economically depressed Lebanon can’t handle thousands more refugees settling within its borders. Tripoli has in recent history seen its share of sectarian clashes, and Sunni radicals there are likely to resist a mass new influx of Alawites from Syria. Egyptian HTS militants en route to Latakia. "We will slaughter your fathers…Everyone is coming to the coast, wait for us, Alawites and Shias, all the fighters are Sunni and coming for you." pic.twitter.com/O6JHNJwPaw — Lindsey Snell (@LindseySnell) March 10, […]