In an unprecedented move since the 1969 Cairo agreement, the Lebanese army carried out a major security operation inside the Shatila Palestinian refugee camp in Beirut.
The military arrested several suspects wanted for drug smuggling, seizing large quantities of narcotics, as well as weapons.
With Egyptian sponsorship, the Cairo agreement was held between the Lebanese state and Palestinian Liberation Organization and says the army is barred from entering Palestinian camps in Lebanon. Palestinian factions in the camps would handle their own affairs inside the camps.
In return, the factions were expected to respect certain guidelines and rules.
In a statement on Friday, the army said it carried out its operation following months of investigations. It busted a drug dealing gang that was operating throughout the country.
Clashes ensued with the suspects, leaving several of them wounded. Fifty-five were arrested, including Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian nationals. The military also seized drugs, weapons and ammunition during the raid.
Investigations are underway with the detainees.
The raid followed months of intermittent clashes between drug gangs inside the Shatila camp and its surroundings. The Palestinian factions were unable to contain the fighting.
A security source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the military carried out its operation without coordinating with the factions, instead relying on the element of surprise.
The raid is part of a wider “great war” the army is waging against the drug trade, especially against criminals deemed “untouchable”.
“There are no red lines for the army to arrest anyone or enter any area,” stressed the source.
The military has been carrying out a crackdown on the drug trade in recent weeks, shutting drug factories. Raids have been carried out in the eastern Baalbek region, leading to one of the country’s largest drug busts.
In a post on the X platform, the Interior Ministry said combating drugs was a “national priority,” saluting the army’s efforts to that end.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat deputy Secretary of the Palestinian Fatah movement in Lebanon Dr. Serhan Serhan hailed the army’s “heroic” operation.
The Palestinians have long called on the Lebanese security agencies to put a stop to the drug trade inside the camp.
“The Shatila camp was once known as the camp of martyrs, but unfortunately, in recent years, it has come to be known as the drug camp. We hope the army will follow up on its measures to resolve this issue completely,” he added, saying it enjoys Fatah’s support.
Fatah has “no problem” in the military carrying out raids in other camps across the country, “because at the end of the day, we are guests in Lebanon and the camps are subject to Lebanese sovereignty and laws,” he stressed.
