Lebanon: Two dead after clashes in refugee camp August 17

Event

Armed militiamen aligned with the Islamist Badr group fired at the headquarters of Palestinian security forces on Thursday, August 17, in the Ain Al-Hilweh refugee camp near Sidon. The subsequent clashes led to the death of the son of the head of the militia as well as a member of the Palestinian security forces. The situation is reportedly under control.

Context

Seven people were killed in clashes between the groups in Ain Al-Hilweh in April. Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon are generally outside the control of Lebanese security services.

Lebanon's security environment is closely tied to the situation in neighboring Syria, notably due to the involvement of the Lebanon-based Shi'a group Hezbollah in the Syrian civil war. Terrorist attacks have occurred periodically in Lebanon in recent months, usually targeting security forces or isolated villages in the Beqaa Valley, such as Arsal, Ras Baalbek, and Qaa.

Advice

Due to the threat of terrorism, some Western governments advise their nationals against travel to the city of Tripoli, as well as Beirut's southern districts, southern Lebanon, and the country's eastern regions (including Baalbek, Hermel, Majdel, and Rachaiya). If a security operation is in progress, individuals are advised to leave the area immediately and follow instructions from authorities.