The epic saga of Lebanese singer Fadel Chaker took a new turn last Saturday, when the Billboard-dominating artist turned himself in to the military intelligence in Lebanon, ending twelve years in hiding following his involvement in the 2013 Abra clashes, which left eighteen Lebanese soldiers dead.
Chaker entered the Arab Pop canon in the early 2000s with his hit single “Ya Ghayeb,” which has recently landed a No. 6 spot on Rolling Stone’s 50 Best Arabic Pop Songs of The 21st Century list.
His decision to surrender himself comes amid a period of political realignment in Lebanon and the broader Levant, marked by the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria and the waning influence of Hezbollah at home. Several household-name Lebanese and Arab pop stars have already voiced support for his reintegration into the cultural mainstream.
UAE diva Ahlam was among the latest to back Chaker’s return, posting affection and encouragement for the singer and his son, up-and-coming artist Mohammed Chaker, on X (formerly Twitter): “I love both of you, appreciate you and respect you. Success suits you.”
Ahlam’s words came on the heels of Chaker’s remarkable chart resurgence. His recent singles — “Sahhak Al Shoq,” “Keefak A’a Fora’i” (featuring Mohammed Chaker) and “Ahla Rasmé” — have all soared to the top of the Billboard Arabia Hot 100, where they remain in the Top 10 as of press time. The comeback has catapulted Fadel Chaker to No. 2 on Billboard Arabia’s Top 100 Artists list, second only to Amr Diab.
In 2012, amid Lebanon’s escalating sectarian tensions fueled by the war in Syria, Fadel Chaker announced that he had repented to Allah and would quit what he called “haram music.” Shortly after in 2013, he appeared in a video beside fighters of hard-line cleric and militia leader Ahmad Al Assir, taunting the slain soldiers of the Lebanese Army following clashes between Al Assir’s men and government forces.
Chaker disappeared soon afterward into the Ain Al Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp, re-emerging online in 2018 with new songs that cautiously tested the public’s willingness to forgive. In 2020, a Lebanese court tried him in absentia and sentenced him to twenty-two years in prison for supporting a terrorist group.
Last Saturday, the Lebanese Army confirmed that Fadel Chaker had surrendered himself to military intelligence at the entrance of Ain Al Hilweh. He remains in custody and is being questioned for his role in the 2013 clashes. Chaker has declared over the years that he played no practical role in the deadly clashes. AP reported that “the sentences that he received while on the run will be dropped”, adding that he will be “questioned in preparation to stand trial on new charges” of committing crimes against the military.
Legal expert Ashraf Al Moussawi told Sky News Arabia that Chaker is likely to undergo formal investigations in the coming weeks, and could be released before the end of the year. He added that the singer reportedly plans to relocate to Saudi Arabia after his release, where he has already “signed contracts to perform concerts in Riyadh.”
