Alaa Abd Elaziz, the Egyptian Charge d’Affaires in Syria, has received notification from Syrian authorities that an Egyptian citizen was killed as he attempted to cross the Syria-Lebanon border. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the statement on Thursday, but did not specify when or how the Egyptian citizen died.
In response to the death, ministry spokesperson Amr Roshdy extended his condolences to the family of the deceased on the ministry’s behalf.
Roshdy once again warned Egyptians of the dangers of trying to enter Syria illegally from neighbouring countries, explaining that such efforts are risky and endanger security and safety. Roshdy also added that this was not the first time an Egyptian has died attempting to cross illegally into another country.
Roshdy referred to the various press releases issued by the ministry over the past year regarding the issue of illegal migration.
Last October Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Kamel Amr demanded Syria clarify the status of three Egyptians found dead in Aleppo and Homs. The three died during fighting in Aleppo and Homs, and one individual was accused by the Syrian army of leading an armed group in Aleppo.
Reports of foreign fighters in Syria began flooding the news last year and rebel fighters from Iran and Libya, as well as American citizens and Al-Qaeda affiliated groups, have since been spotted in the country.