Report: Mawlawi Confirmed to be in Ain el-Hilweh's Taamir

A high-ranking Palestinian security official revealed on Wednesday that Islamist fugitive Shadi al-Mawlawi has entered the southern Ain el-Hilweh refugee camp.

“Mawlawi entered the refugee camp along with four others, including his wife and a man close to (Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed) al-Asir,” the source said in comments published in al-Akhbar newspaper.

The source pointed out that Mawlawi is currently residing in the Taamir area's al-Taware' neighborhood and hosted by Islamist Haitham al-Shaabi, who rented for him a house.

“We are trying to catch Mawlawi on the surveillance cameras that are installed across the refugee camp,” a source told the daily.

The newspaper quoted a Fatah Movement leader as saying: “The camp will never be a residence or passage for wanted suspects.”

Media reports said last week that Mawlawi fled Bab al-Tabbaneh neighborhood in the northern city of Tripoli to take the southern camp as a refuge to prepare for a security operation in cooperation with wanted Sheikh al-Asir, who is also hiding there.

Al-Asir had gone into hiding following deadly clashes between his supporters and the army near Sidon in June last year.

Mawlawi has been charged with belonging to an armed terrorist group in order to stage terrorist acts, and holing up at a Tripoli mosque with the aim of preparing bombs and explosive devices to target Lebanese troops in the area.

Earlier this month, the militia led by Mawlawi and Osama Mansour clashed with the army in Tripoli and Akkar district. The gunbattles left dozens of fighters, soldiers and civilians dead and injured.

H.K.

G.K.