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U.S.-Backed PA West Bank Security Plan Far from Success

[Jerusalem Post] Khaled Abu Toameh - The attempt last weekend by Fatah militiamen to assassinate the local governor of Nablus, Jamal Muheissen, in Balata is seen as a severe blow to the PA's U.S.-backed efforts to impose law and order in the West Bank. Just a few weeks ago, the PA was boasting that its security plan, which saw the deployment of hundreds of policemen in Nablus, was a "huge success." That plan is being challenged by disgruntled Fatah gunmen from the Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, some of whom have long been accused of terrorizing the local population. The Aqsa Martyrs Brigades has claimed responsibility for the attack on the governor. Another dissident Fatah group continuing to openly challenge the PA is the Horsemen of the Night (Fursan al-Lail), based in the old city of Nablus. "What is happening in Nablus and other parts of the West Bank shows that the PA is far from achieving its goal of asserting its full authority there," said a senior PA official in Ramallah. "Many of the militiamen have agreed to lay down their arms, but there is still a large group that is refusing to comply." He said the PA was facing similar challenges in Jenin and Tulkarem, where scores of Fatah gunmen were trying to "blackmail" the PA leadership to gain money and jobs, and that they were being incited by top political figures in Fatah.
2008-04-18 01:00:00
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