 The extreme anti-Fatah Palestinian faction Jund al-Sham may soon collapse due to pressure from Fatah and Lebanese authorities, sources in the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp said. Sources said the organization is on its way toward dismantlement, as disputes emerge between its members over plans for bombings and assassinations.
"Aaaar! Bomb 'em, I sez!"
"Assassinate 'em!"
"Go fer yer guns, Mahmoud!" |
They stressed that some of its members, both Palestinians and Lebanese, are already wanted by Lebanese authorities. "The refugee camp can no longer be a haven for criminals who claim to follow their religion to the extent of fanaticism," they added.
| "But... But... It's traditional!" |
According to the sources, the number of the organization members exceeds 20. The group is allegedly armed with bombs, missiles and hand grenades, as well as automatic weapons.
| So you can tell they're really, really devout... |
They said organization members have taken refuge west of Ein el-Hilweh with their military leader Imad Yassin. Recent confrontations prodded Abu Youssif Sharqieh to announce his relinquishing of authority over Jund al-Sham.
"Put yer guns down! I resign!"
"Youse can't resign!"
"Oh, yeah? Stick 'em up!"
"Where'd those guns come from?" |
The organization was created last year in Ein el-Hilweh's neighborhood of Safsaf from among the ruins of the Usbat al-Nour group, which was eradicated upon the death of its leader Abdullah Shreidi, a fervent opponent of the Palestinian Fatah movement. Fatah accused Jund al-Sham of several bombings in the streets of the camp, which led to several clashes that were eventually settled by the mediation of religious figures in Sidon.The Dinnieh Group, another extremist group that clashed with the Lebanese Army, had allied with Jund al-Sham, adding to the group's problems with the authorities. Jund al-Sham later alienated itself further by issuing statements against Fatah and Hizbullah. Problems culminated in September 2004, when a shooting broke out between members of Fatah and Jund al-Sham that killed a member of the organization and injured Yassin. Jund al-Sham's information officer, Osama al-Shehabi, has also announced his resignation. |