Article

2003-05-20 Syria-Lebanon

7 killed as fighting rocks Ain al-Hilweh

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Posted by Frank G 2003-05-20 08:46 am|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 This is sort of like a cricket match to Americans. Don't understand the rules, lots of scoring that doesn't seem to mean anything, and it lasts forever.

Posted by Chuck 2003-05-20 09:06:36|| [blog.simmins.org] 2003-05-20 09:06:36|| Front Page Top

#2 actually this is quite mysterious - all evidence from the territories seems to indicate that Yasser still controls the fatah hard boys, and that he's in alliance with Hamas and IJ. Either trying to undermine Abu Mazen, or secretly in cahoots with Abu Mazen, if you believe Charles Johnson. In either case no reason for Yasser to take on islamists.

So whats happening in Lebanon - is fatah/hamas/IJ alliance united against AQ faction? Is Hamas/IJ staying neutral (despite larger strategic cooperation with Yasser- and as appears from their role as 'mediators") in Fatah vs AQ fight? Are Fatah hard boys in ein al hilweh not under Yassers control? Or is it purely local turf battles in ein al hilweh, no connection to larger Pal civil war?

Posted by Anonymous 2003-05-20 09:19:31|| 2003-05-20 09:19:31|| Front Page Top

#3 All good questions, anonymous, that's why I posted it - the Ein is such a shithole of intrigue, clans and snuffies, squalor, heavy weapons - it's hard to remember it's essentially a UN-run "refugee" city - oh wait, maybe it's not.

Posted by Frank G 2003-05-20 09:26:35|| 2003-05-20 09:26:35|| Front Page Top

#4 "The Fighting Rocks"--That would make a good name for a sports team or a band. Of course, then the Anti Rock Defamation League would get their panties in a twist.

Posted by Dar 2003-05-20 10:15:48|| 2003-05-20 10:15:48|| Front Page Top

#5 Ein Hellhole is one exit ramp I wouldn't take on the roadmap to peace.

Posted by tu3031 2003-05-20 12:13:10|| 2003-05-20 12:13:10|| Front Page Top

#6 Weapons of various caliber were used in the fighting that caused hundreds of families in the countryâs largest refugee camp and some from neighboring areas to flee to the safety of farther areas.
When you think about it, it's funny in a sick sort of way that refugees would have to seek refuge from a refugee camp. Also, isn't Islamic law pretty big on burying the dead within 24 hours? Preventing that would be a major provocation, no?

Posted by 11A5S 2003-05-20 12:56:48|| 2003-05-20 12:56:48|| Front Page Top

#7 Cricket and the similes to the events at Ein el-Hilweh (ie not Lords):
"Maiden" - no score in an "over" (that'll be Abdullah Shreidi getting away with it)
"Wicket Maiden" - no score in an "over" and you get someone "out" (that'll be when Yehia Shreidi and Fouad Farhoud were "out", actually that's a double wicket maiden and is quite good)

Mr Zayyat, not being "out", but being injured, is allowed a "runner" who can bat for him.

Brigadier Sultan Abul-Ainayn, in stating that he will get Mr Abdullah Shreidi "out" is merely engaging in idle banter designed to "rattle" Mr Shreidi, no doubt the Brigadier has a "Yorker" in the form of an RPG ready for Mr Shreidi.

Also note that the "tea interval" (yes, they sit down to cups of tea, cucumber sandwiches and small bits of cake) is about 4pm in cricket, ie when they had their cease-fire, hmm...

Now all I have to do is rid my mind of these nutters in cricket whites hurling large calibre ordinance at each other...

Posted by Tony 2003-05-20 20:14:02|| 2003-05-20 20:14:02|| Front Page Top

10:05 Raptor
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