BEIRUT: ISIS is planning to expand its presence in Lebanon with the help of fugitive Shadi Mawlawi, intelligence reports say. Mawlawi has been supervising the training of ISIS cells in the Tawar neighborhood of Ain al-Hilweh, a Palestinian refugee camp in Sidon.
The training is also taking place under the supervision of Syrian national Ghazi Mahmoud R., Palestinian national Abdul Halim F.S., born in Burj al-Barajneh and Palestinian-Jordanian Hisham A.A, known as Mansour Amairah.
The reports added that Mawlawi and fugitive preacher Ahmad al-Assir are coordinating to prepare ISIS cells tasked with carrying out suicide bombings in numerous Lebanese areas.
It’s also believed that Mawlawi is receiving direct support from an ISIS official Abdullah Ahmad Mashhadani, known by his nom du guerre “Abu Qassem.”
Mawlawi is currently on the Army’s most-wanted list for his involvement in various attacks against the military and for suspected links to other suicide attacks. He is believed to have left the northern city of Tripoli when the Army launched its security plan in April 2014.
Mawlawi’s exact whereabouts remain unclear. After the security plan was launched, it was believed he fled to Ain al-Hilweh.
However, early February it was reported that Mawlawi was still residing in Ain al-Hilweh.
The intelligence reports state that ISIS released misleading information about Mawlawi’s whereabouts to put off investigators. Information acquired by the security forces confirms that Mawlawi is in the Taware neighborhood of Ain al-Hilweh along with a group of Islamists.
Mawlawi, according to the report, has been distributing money to close members and supporters as well as keeping in constant contact with ISIS leaders in Qalamoun. He has been supervising a group that recently moved to Ain al-Hilweh from Tripoli.
ISIS is working to recruit extremists and establish cells with the aim of expanding its influence in Lebanese areas. Recruits have been mostly youths between 19 and 25 years of age, according to security sources.
Recruits receive religious lessons led by sheikhs and activists in Lebanese villages. A number of suspected recruits are currently being pursued, a security report revealed.
Among them is a Moroccan national, known to have frequently visited the Burjal-Barajneh camp, and two Lebanese hailing from east Sidon who are on the run from the authorities. The latter receive orders from Assir.
Sources within Ain al-Hilweh revealed that Assir is also supervising the work of an extremist cell to target UNIFIL peacekeepers in south Lebanon.
ISIS, the sources added, took a decision recently to activate dormant cells in Lebanon.
Headed by Palestinian national Samih Riad T., a secret group with members in Tripoli, Beirut, Damour and Sidon, has been assigned to survey a number of potential locations to launch attacks.
It is believed that Riad T. visited the West Bekaa town of al-Marj, from where he took three Syrian nationals in a car to Beirut.
These current developments have prompted the Jordanian Embassy in Baabda to take strict security measures, after information acquired from Western agencies reported that the embassy might be the target of a suicide attack orchestrated by ISIS members, including Palestinian and Jordanian nationals.
Around 30 additional members of the Jordanian Intelligence were recently assigned to the embassy, security reports said. The members will be tasked with protecting the site and Jordanian diplomats working in Lebanon.
The report explained that Jordan has recently boosted its activities in Lebanon by intensifying its work within the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp and other Palestinian camps across the country.
Palestinian informant cells working closely with Jordanian intelligence have been activated. The cells will monitor extremist groups in the camp and report whenever there are plans being hatched to attack the embassy or Jordanian interests.
Separately, security forces are looking for a gray colored 535 BMW with the license plate 133355/B. Security reports warned that the vehicle might be used in a terrorist attack.
The report also stated that ISIS was planning to target other embassies in Lebanon.
Three dangerous ISIS-linked members were identified as Ahmad Abed al-Tawab and Ismail Chouqeiri, who are believed to be working with another Lebanese national Khaled al-Razy.
Informed security sources said that the Saudi and Jordanian embassies are at high risk of being a target of dual suicide attacks orchestrated by Tawab and Chouqeiri.
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