After violence broke out between the current and past regimes in Syria, fearful residents have waded across a river to take refuge in Lebanon.

Thousands of Syrians, mostly from Alawite-majority areas, have fled the violence in coastal Syria, seeking refuge in northern Lebanon.

Syrians flee to Lebanon after fighting between security forces and fighters loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad led to mass killings.

Lebanon to escape the worst spasm of violence since Assad’s fall in November. Nabih Bulos is the Middle East bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times. Since 2012, he has covered the aftermath of the “Arab Spring” revolution as well as the Islamic State’s resurgence and the campaign to defeat it.