The Plight of the Rightless: Mapping and Understanding Statelessness in Tripoli-V1.3 Figure 3-Perception about refugees Conversely, UN-habitat’s 2016 study shows that the skill set of Syrian refugees differs from that of the inhabitants of Tripoli, in particular the economically deprived ones. The Lebanese and the Syrians have not been competing over the same jobs. The perception of Tripolitans regarding the increased competition over jobs by refugees is thus not necessarily true. The current job shortage in Tripoli is rather caused by the deteriorated overall economic situation in the area. The latter is significantly affected by the cease of economic activity with the conflicted area of Syria that surrounds not just Tripoli, but all of the North and Eastern borders. A History of Violence Another report by Nehmeh tackles the root causes of Tripoli’s poverty.6 The history of armed conflict in Tripoli started decades ago and is believed to have caused the fragility of its economy. In 1975, the Lebanese civil war weakened Tripoli’s industrial presence as many medium and large size factories went bankrupt, while capital owners refrained from investing in new projects in the area. This resulted in the shrinking of job opportunities and the further depression of the economy. In 1986, a large-scale massacre was conducted by the Syrian forces in the area of Tebbeneh, fuelling a long lasting sectarian armed conflict between the predominantly pro-Assad Alawites of Jabal Mohsen and the majoritarian anti-Assad Sunnis of Tebbeneh.7 A series of conflicts and 6 Adib Nehmeh, Al Foqr Fi Madinat Tarablos, Al Kitab Al Thani, Al Tadakhoulat Al Watania Wal Mahaliya (Beirut: ESCWA, 2010). 7 Miriam Younes, The conflict context in Tripoli: Chronic neglect, increased poverty, & leadership crisis (Lebanon Support, 2016). 15