The Red Prince Ali Hassan Salameh: Arafat’s First Guard Leader
Birth and Early Years
Ali Hassan Salameh, also known as Abu Hassan, was born on April 1, 1941, in Iraq, with origins tracing back to the village of “Qula” in Palestine. His father, Hassan Salameh, was a leader in the Holy War Army led by the Grand Mufti Haj Amin al-Husseini during the 1948 war and a comrade of the Palestinian activist Abdel Qader al-Husseini.
After the family sought refuge in Lebanon briefly post-Nakba, they returned to Ramallah where Abu Hassan completed high school. His passion for engineering and languages led him to study languages in Switzerland before furthering his studies in Germany. He then pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Cairo University in 1963.
Salameh was married twice, first to Nushrwam Sharif Mansour, with whom he had two sons, Hassan and Osama. Following his move to Lebanon in 1978, he married Georgina Rizk, who was pregnant at the time of his assassination.
Entry into the Resistance Movement
Salameh initially had no political interests until the beginning of the Palestinian revolution when founders of the Fatah movement approached him to join the resistance. In 1963, he joined the movement, leading to a shift in his beliefs and support towards the Palestinian resistance.
In the following year, he moved to Kuwait where he played a key role in organizing the Palestinian student union and managed the popular organization circle for the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). He then settled in Amman, the capital of Jordan, where he remained until leaving with Arafat following the Black September events.
Events of Black September
Fatah, alongside the Jordanian Army, achieved a significant victory against Israel in the Battle of Karameh in 1968, leading to the movement’s increased influence in Amman. However, tensions arose, resulting in the expulsion of Fatah from Jordan in September 1970 in the infamous “Black September” events, forcing Fatah to relocate to Lebanon.
During this period, Salameh accompanied Yasser Arafat and was responsible for his security until they traveled together to Cairo for joint dialogue with the Jordanian government. As a result, Fatah withdrew from all Jordanian cities, relocating to the Jordanian-Palestinian border.
New Beginnings in Lebanon
Following their exit from Jordan, Salameh took on the responsibility of protecting Arafat, establishing the “Force 17” unit responsible for Arafat’s security. His extensive security experiences, training, and the missions assigned to him transformed his war against Israel into primarily intelligence security warfare.
Lebanon became the base for Salameh’s security war against Mossad since 1970. His name became associated with various strategic operations, including the explosive parcels sent from Amsterdam to Mossad agents in Europe and the assassination of Mossad resident officer in London, Amira Shishur.
Salameh intensified efforts to uncover Mossad spy networks, notably in Lebanon, key to the Palestinian resistance struggle. His success in uncovering spies, notably Amina Al-Mufti, spying on Palestinian factions for Israel, solidified his reputation.
Failed Assassination Attempt
One notable failed assassination attempt occurred on July 21, 1973, in Lillehammer, Norway. Mossad mistakenly killed a Moroccan waiter, Ahmed Bouchiki, instead of Salameh, marking a significant embarrassment for Mossad amidst the ongoing conflict.
Salameh’s Engagement with Intelligence Agencies
Salameh’s connections extended beyond Lebanese factions to intelligence agencies, including the CIA, since his move to Lebanon in 1970. He established a secret channel between the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the United States, aiding in protecting American citizens in Beirut and uncovering Mossad agents.
The article delves into various aspects of Salameh’s intricate operations, shedding light on his multi-faceted skills, strategic alliances, and the complexities of a relentless conflict with Mossad. His legacy remains intertwined with a tumultuous decade marked by intelligence warfare and political maneuvering.
