THE POPULAR FRONT FOR THE LIBERATION OF -GENERAL COMMAND (PFLP-GC) AND THE By Phillip Smyth*

As the Asad regime’s most loyal Palestinian proxy, the PFLP-GC’s role in the conflict in is of great importance. Currently, the group’s interests center on countering Syrian rebel forces in Syria and their allies in Lebanon. In this role, the PFLP-GC has suffered a number of significant losses, and for the first time in its existence is being pressed in all areas it operates. This article will focus on the Syrian Civil War’s effects on the PFLP-GC and what the future may hold for the group.

Maghrabi fell to soothing, and said, rejoiced...” O my uncle, bid me do all “Obey me, therefore, in all I bid thee, thou pleasest, for I will be obedient unto and shortly thou shalt forget all this thy bidding.” – Sir Richard Burton, The travail and toil whenas thou shalt look Book of the Thousand Nights and a upon the marvel-matters I am about to Night, 1885.1 show thee” … Aladdin...was dumbed and dazed at the Maghrabi's words and BACKGROUND ON ASAD’S just one of many “Popular Front” style organizations espousing a mixture of militancy and Marxism.3 However, the PFLP-GC did From the use of barometrically detonated not fade into the history books with the bombs to destroy airliners in the 1970s, to a collapse of the Soviet Union or by being bloody hang glider attack on an Israeli folded into larger groups. Instead, the PFLP- barracks in 1987, the Popular Front for the GC made a name for itself and quickly Liberation of Palestine-General Command became a small but leading Syrian-backed (PFLP-GC) has historically demonstrated a Palestinian entity. preference for innovative and brutally violent Without the Asad regime, it is likely the tactics.2 However, the once leading state- PFLP-GC could not have continued to exist. backed international terrorist organization is Gary Gambill writes, “Of all the major now little more than a local proxy militia used Palestinian and Lebanese paramilitary groups to serve the interests of Syrian leader Bashar sponsored by , the PFLP-GC al-Asad. As Syria fractures due to the ongoing exercises the least strategic and operational civil war, the Asad regime’s utilization of their autonomy.”4 In addition, Adam Dolnik has PFLP-GC’s proxy has increased. noted the PFLP-GC has a "virtually Unfortunately for the PFLP-GC, the increased unconditional allegiance to Syria.” Dolnik utilization of its forces has also irreparably adds, “The group's relationship with Syria was damaged the organization. a key factor why Jibril never achieved the Founded in 1968 by Ahmad Jibril, the level of prominence that one might expect PFLP-GC was ostensibly created out of a based on his military excellence and a touch desire by members of the Popular Front for the for spectacular attacks.”5 Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) to devote more Since the 1980s, Jibril has also joined with attention to militancy than to Marxian Asad’s primary Middle Eastern ally, the ideology. Due to the highly fractious nature of Islamic Republic of Iran. The PFLP-GC has Palestinian leftist groups, the PFLP-GC was fully adopted Iran’s rhetoric regarding “armed

Middle East Review of International Affairs, Vol. 17, No. 2 (Summer 2013) 55 Phillip Smyth resistance” against Israel and may have with Israel, Jibril announced it would be cooperated with Tehran to assist Iran in acceptable to assassinate him.12 pursuing regional and international goals.6 Despite the organization’s over four- This has even led the group to adopt certain decade-long war against Israel and its conflict Islamist flourishes in its propaganda and to with Lebanese and other Palestinian factions praise Iran.7 during and after the Lebanese Civil War, the Over the decades, the PFLP-GC’s leader, Syrian Civil War has presented the PFLP-GC Ahmad Jibril has exhibited no qualms with with its biggest challenge in its existence. such arrangements or the adoption of new Unlike the Lebanese Civil War, the Syrian rhetorical narratives. Described by Palestinian Civil War has not allowed for the group to foes as being emblematic of “Revolutionary have a secure base. Instead the PFLP-GC is nihilism,” Jibril’s lack of ideological being attacked on all fronts; from its rural attachments and willingness to please his training bases in Lebanon’s Beq’a Valley, sponsors have been the most important urban Palestinian refugee camps near , features within the PFLP-GC.8 For Jibril, to the organization’s very own headquarters in popular acceptance by fellow Palestinians is of Damascus. If anything, the PFLP-GC is little concern. If anything, Jibril and his fighting to survive against its existential foes. cohorts have understood that their route to The group is also suffering from a number of power among Palestinians would only arise internal splits and pitfalls, which have through accepting Asad’s . occurred due to leadership struggles, Jibril’s nearly umbilical link to first, the defections, and the age of its leaders. regime of Hafiz al-Asad and then to Bashar al- Asad is important when understanding his THE PFLP-GC ENTERS THE SYRIAN organization’s motives. His service in the FRAY AND THEIR DEFEAT IN offers a partial explanation for his YARMOUK original closeness with Damascus. In 1961, prior to the formation of the PFLP-GC, Jibril Set-up in the late 1950s, the Palestinian had created the Palestine Liberation Front refugee camp of Yarmouk represents the (PLF). The group’s ranks were filled by largest residence for Palestinians in Syria.13 Palestinians, who like Jibril, had served in the Overtime, Yarmouk morphed from being a Syrian army.9 Hafiz al-Asad himself rose to refugee camp on the outskirts of Damascus to power via the Syrian air force, and this its current state of a more mixed urban historical military link has allowed the PFLP- of southern Damascus. Around 150,000 GC to act as a supportive body for the Syrian Palestinians live in the refugee camp-cum- military.10 With experience working with neighborhood.14 In addition to those former Syrian military personnel, the PFLP- Palestinian residents, the majority of GC found itself as the perfect Palestinian Yarmouk’s inhabitants are actually Syrians.15 entity with which the Syrian military could Since the spring of 2011, the strategically cooperate. located area and has witnessed extreme The group is also no stranger to intra- tension between residents supportive of the Palestinian fighting, especially when it was Asad regime and his Palestinian and Syrian engaged in fighting at the behest of its .16 Many attacks that occurred backers. During what became known as the inside Yarmouk specifically targeted the , a sub-war within the larger PFLP-GC and their supporters. The first major 1975-1990 Lebanese Civil War, the PFLP-GC incident occurred in June of 2011, when the and other anti-Yasir Arafat Palestinian PFLP-GC’s Yarmouk headquarters was factions attacked Arafat’s Palestinian burned by protesters.17 The protesters accused Liberation Organization.11 In 1993, due to the PFLP-GC of not properly organizing anti- Arafat’s involvement in the peace process Israel “Yawm al-Naqsa” (a day commemorating the 1967 defeat at the hands

56 Middle East Review of International Affairs, Vol. 17, No. 2 (Summer 2013) The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) and the Syrian Civil War of Israel) protests and of using Palestinians as would actively engage Syrian rebels and pro- pawns for the Asad regime.18 Soon after the rebel Palestinians.26 On September 7, 2012, PFLP-GC’s building was burned, the group’s the PC-YRC announced the loss of three militiamen opened fire on the protesters, members in engagements with Syrian rebels.27 killing 14 and wounding another 43.19 Rebel attacks against the PFLP-GC increased Conditions remained tense but relatively stable at the end of the summer into fall. In October well into 2012. 2012, Adel Hasan, a PFLP-GC leader, was Then, July 2012 saw a major surge in assassinated by rebel forces in the southern violence targeting pro-Asad Palestinian Palestinian refugee camp in Dar’a.28 groups. 17 members of the Damascus-run With the increasing level of engagements, Palestine Liberation Army (PLA) were disagreements between pro-Asad and anti- kidnapped as they were travelling to Aleppo. Asad Palestinians had become so great that The PLA members were later killed and only anti-Asad Palestinians joined with the Syrian 13 of their bodies were found.20 The pro- rebels and created al-Asifah (The Storm Hizballah , al-Akhbar asserted the Brigade). Reportedly, Liwa al-Asifah was kidnappings and killings of the PLA members comprised only of Palestinian recruits.29 The marked the beginning of Palestinian group also received arms from Syrian rebel involvement in the Syrian revolution.21 organizations.30 One rebel commander was The lines in Yarmouk were not always so extremely blunt when discussing what would cleanly drawn between pro and anti-Asad happen to the PFLP-GC when talking with actors. According to one activist, the Yarmouk Reuters: “Now they (the PFLP-GC fighters) camp originally had a neighborhood militia of are targets for us, targets for all the FSA. All 2,000 armed men. The group would fight “for of them with no exceptions.”31 The PFLP-GC the sake of civilians against both rebels and responded by saying Liwa Asifah was little the Syrian army.”22 As tensions between the more than a Qatari front and comprised of pro-rebel elements, Syrian rebels, and pro- “terrorists.”32 Asad residents--particularly those belonging to On October 31, 2012, Syrian rebels the PFLP-GC--a firmer polarization took hold. exploded a car bomb, which killed a Syrian According to anti-Asad activists, as early as army commander. A rebel leader told Reuters August 2012, the PFLP-GC launched the bomb was a, "gift to Jibril's people which operations in Yarmouk in conjunction with the will be followed by others”33 Four days later, Syrian army.23 These operations included members of Liwa al-Asifah and the Free another militia grouping created by the PFLP- Syrian Army were recorded in Yarmouk GC around that time. Known as the Popular proclaiming they would destroy any of Committee-Yarmouk Refugee Camp (PC- “Jibril’s Shabiha,” Iranian, or Lebanese YRC), the group presented itself as a fighters aiding Bashar al-Asad.34 communal militia for Yarmouk, with members The end of November 2012 witnessed a from the neighborhood and close links to the renewed rebel offensive, which saw the FSA Syrian government and the PFLP-GC. The strike at Damascus’s suburbs and other major group also created a Facebook Page, issued military instillations.35 The PFLP-GC soon PFLP-GC statements, and claimed to have 12 became a key target not just for the FSA’s independent “reporters” to cover events within Palestinian battalion but for the Syrian Yarmouk.24 According to Yarmouk residents factions of the FSA. On November 23, 2012, a and representatives, the PC-YRC was bomb ripped through a car in the Yarmouk armed directly by the PFLP-GC.25 In essence, camp, killing four and seriously wounding it was little more than a PFLP-GC front with a “senior official” Khalid Atteiq.36 PFLP-GC specific geographic area of operations. spokesmen blamed the Free Syrian Army for In August and September 2012, the PFLP- the attack.37 Rebel sources also announced the GC and their PC-YRC subgroup set up a PFLP-GC had lost ten members in Yarmouk.38 number of checkpoints inside Yarmouk and

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Later that month, rebels also captured a PFLP- In turn, this disrupted the group’s issuing of GC training center near Douma.39 statements and made them more reliant on Two days later, Rihaniyya, a major PFLP- social media and Syrian state media to convey GC encampment near Damascus, was also their messages.51 By mid- 2013, the site overrun by Syrian rebel forces. Liwa al- was again offline and as of August 2013, it has Asifah, Liwa Fursan al-Islam (The Knights of not come back online.52 Islam Brigade), and Liwa Abi Musa al-Ash’ari The fighting in Yarmouk was significant in (The Abi Musa Ash’ari Brigade) claimed they its military costs. Numerous younger recruits had taken the base during a joint operation and senior commanders were lost and after heavy fighting.40 demonstrated the PFLP-GC’s fighting By December 17, 2012, the FSA capacity was damaged. During the fighting, announced PFLP-GC fighters and Ahmad Nidhal Alani, an experienced PFLP-GC Jibril had been pushed from Yarmouk.41 These commander and member of the group’s claims also coincided with earlier rumors Central Committee was also killed.53 The claiming Ahmad Jibril had fled to the Asad- PFLP-GC later created a Facebook page controlled coastal of .42 One FSA claiming the creation of a military detachment leader even claimed Jibril and a portion of the named in his honor and a number of low- organization fled to Lebanon.43 Interestingly, quality online videos as memorials.54 the Iranian media also reported that Jibril had However, it would appear the claims of a fled Damascus.44 The PFLP-GC later had to functional military group were little more than deny he had fled to Iran after being pushed out an attempt to make the group appear more of Yarmouk.45 capable and having larger numbers. By Despite claims made by the PFLP-GC and February 2013, one member of the PFLP-GC the Syrian government, reports emerged that organized Popular Committees told the Egypt the Syrian army and PFLP-GC forces had Independent that Jibril had “only several been defeated inside the Yarmouk’s hundred armed men under his command” and environs.46 On December 18, 2012, using that many had defected from the group.55 Facebook, the PFLP-GC announced Yarmouk According to one Palestinian activist in had been taken by, “Zionist enemy” and the Yarmouk, there were “only [approximately] “Zionist Mossad.” In their statement, the 80 of them [PFLP-GC militiamen] left.”56 group made no reference to Islamist groups Later in March 2013, Syrian rebels backed by Gulf Arabs or the Free Syrian reportedly captured Ahmad Jibril’s house. Army. General Command also vowed to crush They claimed to discover orders to “kill “The Zionist enemy in the .”47 Lebanese politicians.” In addition, they said At the same time of these announcements, the they found numerous “Arab and foreign” Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) passports (mainly Jordanian), visa stamps, a expelled Ahmad Jibril and the PFLP-GC from printing machine they said was used to their group.48 manufacture documents, and other secret In a belated attempt to reinforce the routed documents.57 PFLP-GC units and possibly to punish Despite the defeat suffered by the PFLP- Palestinian rebel supporters, the Syrian air GC at the hands of rebel forces, the group force also launched strikes on the camp.49 managed to filter back into Yarmouk on a These skirmishes and raids were answered by number of occasions throughout 2013. the Syrian rebels with the reported Nevertheless, the PFLP-GC’s limited assassination of PFLP-GC operations reestablishment within Yarmouk did not mean commander, Madal Elian.50 they could maintain complete control and the Following the rebel conquest of central group continued to suffer losses at the hands portions of Yarmouk, the PFLP-GC’s website of the rebels. In April, six PFLP-GC members also went offline. The website only returned were killed in Yarmouk. Syrian state-media briefly for a few days in January and February.

58 Middle East Review of International Affairs, Vol. 17, No. 2 (Summer 2013) The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) and the Syrian Civil War blamed the Syrian branch of al-Qa’ida, Jabhat bomb in the PLF’s Beirut headquarters. The al-Nusra.58 explosion killed 200, including much of the When heavy fighting broke out in Yarmouk PLF’s leadership and fighters.64 again, in July 2013, Iranian media claimed, Leadership splits assisted in creating other “Palestinian volunteer fighters have been incidents. Still, not all ended with violence. In advancing into the camp slowly, facing the 1990, the PFLP-GC’s deputy secretary, Talal militants who have turned every building and Naji, suggested the group reject Iranian every street into a bunker.”59 Later that month, support and rejoin with the Palestinian it was reported that Syrian air force planes and Liberation Organization.65 While Naji’s artillery were sporadically dumping ordinance supporters were reportedly not attacked by on Yarmouk, while the Syrian army and Jibril, they were coopted by an agreement “allied Palestinian militiamen” attempted to which, according to David Tal, stated, advance into the area.60 Pro-Asad media also “Collaboration with Tehran would continue, claimed that it was the Popular Committees yet Naji could veto political decisions that doing much of the fighting.61 On August 2, contradicted his views.”66 It is clear the 2013, the PC-YRC announced further fighting agreement has held together since Naji has led had occurred in Yarmouk, yet gave few PFLP-GC delegations which have met with details.62 This and other pro-Asad reports Hizballah.67 Nonetheless, the experience with implied a Palestinian-driven offensive against Naji is hardly a common form the PFLP-GC rebels. Simultaneously, this messaging has dealt with internal fissures. strategy downplayed the increased role of the The Beirut assassination of Ahmad Jibril’s Syrian army in Yarmouk. Nevertheless, in son, Jihad Jibril in 2002, may have been one reports about the fighting, direct mention of example of schismatic infighting. Jibril had the PFLP-GC’s presence was not presented. commanded the PFLP-GC’s forces in Lebanon The rather slow advance of pro-Assad and was a rising figure within the Palestinians and the Syrian army into organization. The group accused Israel of Yarmouk also demonstrated a more blunted orchestrating the killing.68 Though, some pro-Asad Palestinian force. security sources speculated he was killed due to “factionalism.”69 SPLINTERING THE SPLINTER April 2010 saw another potential split occur within the PFLP-GC, when heavy Splits within the PFLP-GC have been a fighting erupted in Lebanon’s Beq’a Valley at constant since the group came into being. a PFLP-GC base. It was reported that Ahmad During the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), Jibril dismissed a local leader of the group and the organization handled defectors violently, a his supporters were attacked by forces loyal to tactic that has not changed. While the PFLP- Jibril.70 Following the fighting, the GC’s history has demonstrated that fissures do organization denied any conflicts took exist within the organization, they require the place.71, It was later claimed the dispute came proper conditions to grow. As the group has as the result of a disagreement between become more involved in the Syrian Civil Ahmad Jibril’s son and politburo member War, the conflict has provided the perfect Khalid Jibril and other PFLP-GC leaders in incubator for further fractures. Lebanon.72 In 1977, PFLP-GC members, led by In August 2012, as the PFLP-GC’s Muhammad Zaydan, broke away from Jibril involvement in the Syrian Civil War became due to his support for Syrian military more overt, a variety of splits threatened to rip intervention in Lebanon. They later formed the pieces off of the group. Beirut’s Palestinian Palestine Liberation Front (PLF).63 Jibril refugee camp of Sabra saw what could be would not entertain the existence of a described as a fissure within the organization. fragment from his organization. A little over a One PFLP-GC member was killed in a year later, the PFLP-GC planted a massive dispute, likely with other PFLP-GC personnel.

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Reasons for the dispute were not forthcoming funneled weapons to Palestinian groups and and the PFLP-GC’s leadership tried to calm launched rockets from Lebanese soil.82 When tensions.73 In the , the small PFLP- Syrian forces withdrew from Lebanon in 2005, GC presence, led by Shawkat Hammad, the group would often ignite crises with the warned it would split from Jibril if he did not Lebanese army.83 Unlike Lebanon, in adopt a neutral approach to the fighting in Palestinian-dominated areas, such as Gaza and Syria.74 the West Bank, the PFLP-GC’s presence is According to the Ma’an News Agency, six much less pronounced. As the war in Syria PFLP-GC Central Committee members also drew in Lebanese actors and conflict took resigned at that time to protest the place on Lebanese soil, the PFLP-GC found organization’s growing involvement in the itself a target and attacker of pro-rebel Syrian Civil War.75 By December 2012, it was elements. In Gaza and the West Bank, the reported that Adel al-Hakim, a PFLP-GC PFLP-GC’s limited effectiveness and presence politburo member living in Gaza, had also left made them into a target ripe for anti-Asad the organization.76 The PFLP-GC’s position Palestinians. among its members was shaken further in Early rumors surrounding the PFLP-GC’s February 2013. Khalid Jibril, Ahmad Jibril’s activity in Lebanon reached a peak in October son, head of the PFLP-GC’s “Special Units” 2011. At the time, it was reported the group and member of the PFLP-GC’s politburo was “preparing for military operations inside attempted to flee Syria and head to Gaza.77 the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp” located in In the aftermath of the battle for Yarmouk, the southern Lebanese city of Sidon.84 Over a there were reports of mass-defections from the year later, as fighting raged in Damascus’s PFLP-GC. There were also unconfirmed Yarmouk, men armed with silenced weapons claims an offshoot group, the Popular Front attacked the PFLP-GC’s Ain al-Hilweh for the Liberation of Palestine-Free Command office.85 In January 2013, Ain al-Hilweh made (PFLP-FC), was created to show dissent from headlines again when pro-Syrian-rebel Sunni Jibril’s pro-Asad stance.78 Other evidence of Islamist forces attacked the PFLP-GC’s this new organization included a video offices in the camp.86 The camp exploded announcing its creation, which was released again in March as PFLP-GC and Sunni on the internet.79 However, in the months Islamists fought each other. First, a grenade following its creation, little was heard from was thrown at the group’s office by the small the PFLP-FC. It is likely its members Bilal Badr group. The situation then erupted currently fight alongside other anti-Asad rebel into a firefight and 11 were injured during the elements. Nevertheless, one PFLP-GC source fighting.87 Even though the group’s activities told The Daily Star, “Some of the younger in neighboring Syria resulted in attacks and a fighters grew scared and wanted to leave [the further loss of influence in Palestinian camps, PFLP-GC], but the older ones will never quit. the PFLP-GC was still able to organize They are experienced fighters and will stay to anniversary commemorations for their group’s the end.”80 creation in northern Lebanon’s Beddawi refugee camp.88 THE PFLP-GC, THE PALESTINIANS, PFLP-GC actions in Lebanon were not AND THE LEBANON FRONT simply limited to urban zones. In November 2012, there were reports that the PFLP-GC Lebanon is a familiar arena for the PFLP- had launched rockets in southern Lebanon, GC. Acting on the behalf of the Syrians, the which subsequently landed in Lebanese group had engaged in countless fratricidal .89 Prominent Beq’a Valley Sunni conflicts with other Palestinian groups leader, Shaykh Arfan al-Maarabouni, was throughout the 1980s, particularly during the reportedly kidnapped by the PFLP-GC. His so-called “War of the Camps.”81 During disappearance spurred local Sunni leaders to Syria’s occupation of Lebanon, the group

60 Middle East Review of International Affairs, Vol. 17, No. 2 (Summer 2013) The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) and the Syrian Civil War call on the Lebanese government to disarm the a cost. In -controlled Gaza, other small PFLP-GC camps in Lebanon.90 Palestinian leftist groups distanced themselves At the beginning of 2013, reports from from General Command.99 In March 2012, Lebanese outlets stated that Asad’s forces, in Fatah announced the PFLP-GC had attempted conjunction with Hizballah continued to to assassinate Palestinian Authority President supply, arm, and assist in the maintenance of Mahmoud Abbas. This led Fatah to declare order within the PFLP-GC’s Lebanon’s Ahmad Jibril “a merchant for Palestinian and strategically placed Shouf and Beq’a Valley Arab blood.” Political distancing was the least bases.91 According to Voix du Liban Radio, in of the PFLP-GC’s worries in Gaza and the April 2013, the PFLP-GC used its Beq’a West Bank. Muhammad Jibril, a “senior positions to launch rockets at Syrian rebels.92 member” of the PFLP-GC in the West Bank, On April 11, 2013, there were also reports of escaped a January 2013, assassination attempt FSA-PFLP-GC clashes in the area of the key by unknown gunmen.100 Since PFLP-GC PFLP-GC Beq’a Valley base near Qusaya.93 leaders had, “freely admitted that they lacked The PFLP-GC’s power projection vis-à-vis a significant presence in the West Bank and forces in Lebanon was not restricted to just Gaza and had established links with Hamas in FSA elements. Following disagreements order to support the armed struggle in the Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt had ,” their split with Hamas will certainly with Hizballah and his issuing of a number of severely hinder the group’s tiny force within public statements that did not sync with the Gaza and the West Bank. official Asad line, the PFLP-GC once again made headlines in Lebanon.94 It was reported MAINTAINING THE ASAD LINE: THE that after a problematic meeting between PFLP-GC’s NARRATIVE DURING THE Jumblatt and Syrian officials, PFLP-GC forces CONFLICT placed rockets on a strategic hill (Hill 888) in the Shouf, Jumblatt’s geographic powerbase.95 Despite fractures within the PFLP-GC, the In June 2013, the PFLP-GC was blamed for group has stuck to the Asad line and has also the launch of a 122 mm rocket fired from the forwarded the Iranian narrative when Shouf, which exploded in the Christian- describing the reasons behind their dominated Keserwan.96 involvement in the Syrian Civil War. This Unlike Lebanon, the PFLP-GC’s military same messaging strategy has also been apparatus in both Gaza and the West Bank, adopted when describing the PFLP-GC’s foes. named the Jihad Jibril Brigades, is at best Hardly as effective in the field of public diminutive. From Gaza, the group claimed to relations as its Hizballah ally, the have launched a number of mortar and rocket organization’s messaging strategy has attacks and hit-and-run strikes on Israeli continued to exhibit little independent thought targets. Nevertheless, these attacks were at from the Asad regime. Due to the perception best sporadic. that the group is little more than a proxy, Fighting in Syria and the group’s loyalty to General Command has attempted to show its the Asad regime were well known among main enemy is still Israel, and that the Syrian Palestinians. In Syria, the PFLP-GC was used rebels are little more than “agents of Israel and as a foil against Hamas, which had quietly NATO.”101 aligned itself away from the Asad regime.97 During the heavy fighting of October and As tensions between the Asad and Hamas November 2012, Pro-PFLP-GC elements also grew, Mustafa Liddawi was kidnapped at a started releasing videos on YouTube. These checkpoint in Yarmouk. Liddawi was a films promoted a mixture of ideas ranging “former senior Hamas official” and was from demonstrating the PFLP-GC were released from captivity two days later.98 protecting the Yarmouk from “Terrorist The PFLP-GC’s attacks on HAMAS and aggression in the… camp” to reaffirming the other Palestinian groups did not come without group’s armed-resistance bona fides against

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Israel.102 Nevertheless, these video releases from the Gulf is poisonous and only aims at were of low-quality and few in number. In containing [Palestinian aspirations].” 111 statements initially issued through the As the Syrian conflict became more overtly organization’s website and later released on sectarian, Jibril’s secular-nationalist bona fides Facebook pages, the PFLP-GC repeated the were also utilized by the regime. On May 31, well-worn Asad line that the conflict was little 2013, popular radical Sunni cleric Yusuf al- more than a foreign plot. Even with the Qardawi called on Sunnis to attack Lebanese potential to create a capable online Hizballah and attack the Asad regime.112 In propaganda network, the PFLP-GC’s online response, Jibril called Qardawi “NATO’s messaging strategy lacked complexity and Mufti” and said his fatwas were “in line with repeated, almost verbatim, the lines utilized by the goals of the Zionists.”113 It is probable this the Asad regime.103 type of rhetoric will be used more often as the Since it was imperative for the group to conflict morphs into a more Sunni-Shi’i type appear less as an Asad proxy and still conflict. concentrated on core Palestinian issues, On August 4, 2013, a small blow came to especially those dealing with Israel, the PFLP- the PFLP-GC’s internet outreach abilities. The GC continued its public support for anti-Israel group’s PC-YRC Facebook page, their main positions. In January 2013, via the group’s social media and internet-based propaganda PC-YRC Facebook page, the PFLP-GC dissemination website, was taken down from praised George Abdallah.104 Abdallah, a Facebook.114 For the short-term, this will Lebanese leftist who murdered an Israeli conceivably harm the group’s propagation of diplomat and U.S. military attaché in 1982, material dealing with fighting going on in became a cause célèbre for Lebanese and Yarmouk and other events involving General Palestinian leftists after his parole was rejected Command. Moreover, the PFLP-GC’s by a French court.105 Concern with Abdallah’s potential outreach to more internet-savvy situation was also mirrored by Iranian and supporters has taken a hit with the page’s Hizballah media outlets.106In what appeared to removal. be a transparent attempt to take attention away from the heavy fighting in Yarmouk, the PFLP-GC claimed responsibility for a AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE FOR THE November 21, 2012, bombing of an Israeli bus PFLP-GC in Tel Aviv.107 The attack was actually orchestrated by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad According to the Russian government- and Hamas.108 Following the May 2013 Israeli funded Russia Today, the PFLP-GC is now airstrikes on targets in Damascus, the PFLP- maintaining their headquarters “in a basement GC attempted to add weight to Asad’s threats in central Damascus.”115 For an organization, that he would retaliate and renew war with which at one point had been acting as Asad’s Israel in the Golan Heights. Widely pushed by feudal lord for Palestinians living in Syria, Syrian government media, the PFLP-GC such a situation demonstrated the group’s announced it would send units to fight the ignominious decline. However, based on Israelis in the Golan.109 However, the PFLP- examples presented by other regional state- GC stated that attacks against Israel could only sponsored Palestinian entities and on the be orchestrated after dealing with Syrian PFLP-GC’s history, there are a number of rebels.110Demonstrating the Syrian regime’s outcomes for the group in a post-Asad more public distance from Hamas, on Syrian environment. TV, Jibril accused Hamas’s Khalid Masha’l of Following the 2003 invasion of Iraq to going against Hamas’s founding principles. depose Saddam Hussein, Hussein’s leading Jibril also stated that “Turkey and Qatar are proxies withered and lost the rather small hold funding terrorists in Syria” and that “Money in Palestinian politics they had gained using state funding.116 Serving as archetypal

62 Middle East Review of International Affairs, Vol. 17, No. 2 (Summer 2013) The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) and the Syrian Civil War examples of post-regime collapse and added that because of Syria’s “integration” organizational withering are the Arab with Iran and Iran’s extensive regional Liberation Front (ALF) and Palestine influence, this was a prime reason for external Liberation Front (PLF). Both the PLF and forces to launch an attack.122 The group ALF were used by Iraq to act as quasi- celebrated al- again in August 2013. governing bodies for Palestinians within Iraq At the small rally, PFLP-GC’s Husam Arafat and functioned as little more than armed said, “We thank Iran’s people and [their] proxies doing Baghdad’s bidding abroad.117 intelligent leadership.” He then restated an In a number of respects, this relationship Iranian talking point that Iran was a target of a mirrored Asad’s use of the PFLP-GC as a “Zionist-U.S. project” due to its support for coordinator for Palestinians located in Syria’s “resistance forces.”123 13 official and unofficial refugee camps. In the event of greater PFLP-GC-Iranian Based on the PFLP-GC’s need to have cooperation, the organization will probably Syrian army assistance to maintain even live on in another form. According to Aaron tenuous control of , it is likely that Mannes, “As its relationship with Iran has post-Asad, the PFLP-GC will have little to no deepened, the PFLP-GC has also adopted hold inside Palestinian areas within Syria. Islamist rhetoric.”124 With this type of Furthermore, their influence in Lebanon may established ideological pragmatism, the PFLP- be reduced to their rural redoubts or urban GC could reform under a more Islamist guise. camps where they have access to outside Albeit, this time, with increasing sectarianism support. (pitting Sunnis against Shi’i Iran) and the However, unlike other Middle Eastern decline of “secular” Palestinian organizations, state-sponsored proxies, the PFLP-GC has not the group may suffer further membership limited itself to just one backer. In a post-Asad losses. atmosphere, Iran would likely attempt to While Iranian support could very well save salvage as many pro-Asad groups as possible the organization in either an interim or longer- and construct new relationships with them. term period, there are other problems with the Remnants of the PFLP-GC, especially in PFLP-GC’s membership. Of particular note is Lebanon, could also reach out to Tehran via the age of many of the PFLP-GC’s leaders. Hizballah, with which there is already close Ahmad Jibril, the group’s leader, regarded as cooperation.118 In the words of a former the face and mind behind the PFLP-GC, is a PFLP-GC militiaman, “They [Iran and Syria] septuagenarian.125 Other public members of are our allies with the same cause. We are all the organization, such as Husam Arafat, are partners…Hizballah can be a good [future] not military leaders and have only acted in a partner [for closer cooperation].”119 public relations format.126 The PFLP-GC’s links with Iran have The loss of the older founding generation, increased since the summer of 2012. Ahmad whether through combat related deaths or Jibril announced in July 2012, “We will fight simply old age, could prove highly alongside Iran and Hizballah” to aid Asad and detrimental. Older mid and high-ranking he proclaimed the Iranians as “brothers.”120 In PFLP-GC commanders have been killed in the August 2012, in an effort to commemorate the fighting in Syria. Ibrahim Salama, one of the Iranian created “al-Quds Day,” the Iranians group’s founding members who was released sent an “aid convoy” to Palestinian refugees in from an Israeli prison during a 1979 prisoner Lebanon. The convoy was met with extensive swap, died in May 2013.127 Since this older public praise from the PFLP-GC and signs of generation secured a very strict rule over the solidarity with Iran.121 In November of that group, had more experience fighting Israel, year, the PFLP-GC’s Lebanon representative and could claim leadership based on their Abu Imad Ramaz Mustafa said in one history, their ongoing demise will leave a interview that the war in Syria was occurring number of vacuums in the group. due to a Western-Israeli war against Iran. He

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Younger leaders who had stronger vested *Phillip Smyth is a researcher for the interests in continuing the group are also University of Maryland’s Laboratory for harder to find. The Syrian Civil War is taking Computational Cultural Dynamics. His its toll on the group’s younger commanders research focuses on Syria and Lebanon. He and new recruits. Cases like the 2002 also specializes in the study of Shi’i militias assassination of Ahmad Jibril’s son, Jihad operating in Syria for Jihadology.net. Jibril, then 41, also marked the loss of what could have been a new era for the PFLP- NOTES GC.128 Jibril held extra legitimacy due to his family name and military experience. His 1 Sir Richard Burton (translator), Aladdin and vitality as a younger leader could have also the Magic Lamp (Digireads.com, 2009), pp. bolstered the organization post-Ahmad Jibril. 12-13. 2 “Israel Death from the Skies,” Time CONCLUSION Magazine, December 7, 1987, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0, Even though the PFLP-GC is suffering 9171,966139,00.html?iid=chix-sphere. See under the weight of war, which has led to a also: Adam Dolnik, Understanding Terrorist number of military defeats, membership Innovation: Technology, Tactics and Global losses, internal feuds, and a declining Trends (New York: Taylor & Francis, 2007), influence, the organization will likely persist. p. 93. With Iranian involvement, a rump-group could 3 The flurry of actual and front offshoots from very well live on in Lebanon. Nevertheless, ’s PFLP included: the Popular this entity would be so reduced in power, it Front for the Liberation of Palestine-External may be impossible for it to launch any Operations (PFLP-EO), Popular Front for the effective offensive or defensive operations. Liberation of Palestine-Special Command Since Bashar al-Asad has continued to survive (PFLP-SC), the Popular Democratic Front for the fighting and has secured chunks of Syria, the Liberation of Palestine (PDFLP, which namely Damascus, coastal areas, and other was later reformed into its present incarnation urban zones, the PFLP-GC’s role will as the Democratic Front for the Liberation of probably remain the same as it did post- Palestine or DFLP), and the Palestinian Yarmouk. The group may donate what Popular Struggle Organization (PPSO, now remains of its fighting force to fight alongside called the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, Syrian army units, but with attrition, these or PPSF), to name a few. deployments will become increasingly smaller 4 Gary C. Gambill, “Sponsoring Terrorism: in size. Syria and the PFLP-GC,” Middle East Since neither the Syrian army nor the Intelligence Bulletin, Vol. 4, No. 9 (September PFLP-GC has regained full-control of Syria’s 2002), Palestinian refugee camps, the group may http://www.meforum.org/meib/articles/0209_s wither on the vine, becoming little more than a 1.htm. shell of an organization. A hollowed-out 5 Ibid. PFLP-GC will perhaps only find use carrying 6 Robert Baer, The Devil We Know: Dealing out small operations in Lebanon and parts of with the New Iranian Superpower (New York: Syria, while playing an agitprop role to Random House, 2008), Pp. 178-179. demonstrate Palestinian support for Bashar al- 7 Hadi Tawil, “PFLP-GC Chief in Iran to Laud Asad. Enrichment Success,” The Daily Star, April Whatever the fate of the PFLP-GC’s 13, 2006, capacity to project force; the organization has http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/Ap hedged its bets on Asad and will continue r/13/PFLP-GC-chief-in-Iran-to-laud- moving closer to Iran. enrichment-success.ashx.

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8 Martin Asser, “Ahmed Jibril and the PFLP- http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/pales GC,” BBC, May 20, 2002, tinians-yarmouk-camp-are-forced-take-sides- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/199859 syrian-conflict. 8.stm. 17 Phil Sands, “Up to 12 killed as Palestinian 9 Adam Dolnik, Understanding Terrorist Refugees Are Drawn into Syria Revolt,” The Innovation: Technology, Tactics and Global National, June 8, 2011, Trends (New York: Taylor & Francis, 2007), http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle- p. 82. east/up-to-12-killed-as-palestinian-refugees- 10 Mordechai Kedar, Asad in Search of are-drawn-into-syria-revolt. Legitimacy: Message and Rhetoric in the 18 Isabel Kershner, “Fighters Shoot Protesters Syrian Press Under Hafiz and Bashar at a Palestinian Camp in Syria,” The New York (Portland, OR: Sussex Academic Press, 2005), Times, June 7, 2011, p.vi. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/08/world/mi 11 Manal Kortam, “Politics, Patronage and ddleeast/08damascus.html?_r=0. Popular Committees” in Are Knudsen and Sari 19 “Report: 14 Palestinians Killed in Syria Hanafi (eds.), Palestinian Refugees: Identity, Camp,” Ma'an News Agency, June 6, 2011, Space and Place in the Levant (New York http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.as City: Routledge, 2011), p. 196. px?ID=394412. 12 Hussain Abdul-Hussain, “PFLP-GC 20 “Hamas Slams Killing of Palestinian Troops Leader’s Son Killed by Car Bomb in Beirut,” in Syria,” al-Akhbar, July 13, 2012, The Daily Star, May 21, 2002, http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/hamas- http://www.lebanonwire.com/0205/02052109 slams-killing-palestinian-troops-syria. DS.asp. 21 Anas Zarzar, “Palestinian Camps in Syria: 13 “Yarmouk (Unofficial Camp*),” United Pulled into the Fray,” al-Akhbar, July 17, Nations Relief and Works Agency for 2012, http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/9911. Palestine Refugees in the Near East 22 Manzar, “Palestinians at Yarmouk Camp (UNRWA), Are Forced to Take Sides.” http://www.unrwa.org/etemplate.php?id=156. 23 Meuse, “The Conversation.” 14 “Yarmouk, Syria: Humanitarian Needs 24 Popular Committee Statement, Facebook, Rising As Residents Flee Fighting, Seek September 5, 2012, Safety in UNRWA Schools,” UN Relief and https://www.facebook.com/PopularCYC/posts Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the /100526090102471. Near East, December 17, 2012, 25 “PFLP-GC Says Palestinian Brigade in http://www.unrwa.org/etemplate.php?id=1573 Syria 'Dangerous',” Ma'an News Agency, . November 5, 2012, 15 Alison Tahmizian Meuse, “The http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.as Conversation: Forgotten and Under Siege in px?ID=533209. Damascus’s Yarmouk Refugee Camp,” Syria 26 Popular Committee Statement, Facebook, Deeply, March 15, 2013, November 2, 2012, http://beta.syriadeeply.org/2013/03/conversati https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=12 on-forgotten-siege-damascuss-yarmouk- 1293111359102&set=a.100489376772809.90 refugee-camp/#.Uc0rlPnU_Fk. 2.100268260128254&type=1&theater. 16 Note: The strategic location of Yarmouk, in 27 Popular Committee Statement, Facebook, relation to any offensive or defensive actions September 7, 2012, in Damascus was explained in: Dunia Manzar, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10 “Palestinians at Yarmouk Camp Are Forced to 0962833392130&set=a.100489376772809.90 Take Sides in the Syrian Conflict,” Egypt 2.100268260128254&type=1&theater. Independent, February 11, 2013,

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28 “Palestinians Draw Arms in Syrian Civil http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.as Conflict,” Russia Today, November 1, 2012, px?ID=541298. http://rt.com/news/palestinians-syria-rebel- 37 Bassem Mroue, “Bomb in Palestinian Camp brigade-730/. See also: “Syrian Rebels 'Killed in Damascus Kills 4,” Associated Press, Palestinian Leader',” Ma’an News Agency, November 23, 2012, October 19, 2012, http://news.yahoo.com/bomb-palestinian- http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.as camp-damascus-kills-4-113150630.html. px?ID=530358. 38 “Syrian Rebels Kill 10 Pro-Assad 29 “Syria Rebels Bring Fight to Pro-Assad Palestinian Militiamen,” Reuters, November 7, Palestinians,” Reuters, October 31, 2012, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/31/syr http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/07/us- ia-crisis-palestinians- syria-crisis-pflp-gc- idUSL5E8LV1I220121031. idUSBRE8A615120121107. 30 “Syrian Rebels Arm Palestinians Against 39 “Syrian Rebels Capture Air Base Near Assad,” Reuters, October 31, 2012, Damascus,” Associated Press, November 26, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/31/us- 2012, http://www.philstar.com/breaking- syria-crisis-palestinians- news/2012/11/26/874065/syrian-rebels- idUSBRE89U1I320121031. capture-air-base-near-damascus. 31 Ibid. 40 “Al-iqtiham maqr al-qiada al-ama al-tahrir 32 “PFLP-GC Blames Qatar for Syria Rebel -al-rihaniya,” YouTube, November 25, Killings,” Ma’an News Agency, November 2012, http://youtu.be/bV48eewsHzI. 11, 2012, 41 “Syria: Yarmouk Camp ‘Liberated’ from http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.as Pro-Assad Militias,” Ansa Mediterranean, px?ID=535043. See also: December 17, 2012, Anas Zarzar, “Yarmouk Refugee Camp http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/se Divided over Syrian Crisis,” al-Akhbar, ctions/generalnews/2012/12/17/Syria- November 9, 2012, http://english.al- Yarmouk-camp-liberated-pro-Assad- akhbar.com/node/13488. militias_7967380.html. This announcement 33 “Syrian Rebels Arm Palestinians Against was followed by footage posted on YouTube Assad.” from the FSA’s al-Ezz bin Abd al-Salam 34 “Liwa al-asifa w jaysh al-hurr fi mukhayam Battalion, showing the group seizing a yarmouk | umawi suri al-tard itilal nusayri” structure and weaponry, which had supposedly [“Liwa Asafi and the Free Syrian Army in the belonged to the PFLP-GC. See: Yarmouk Refugee Camp | Native Syrians http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qksiVGdU Want to End Nusayri Occupation], November Ips&feature=share&list=FLSbOaB_30iU7i2D 4, 2012, YouTube, ekzMrSaA. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti8oIkhCX 42 “Palestinian Faction Leader Jibril Leaves 6o. Damascus--Rebels,” Reuters, December 15, 35 “Syria’s Rebels Launch Offensive on 2012, Military Air Base,” Associated Press, http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/palestinian- November 3, 2012, faction-leader-jibril-leaves-damascus--rebels. http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/s Also see: Anas Zarzar and Marah Mashi, yrias-rebels-launch-offensive-on-military-air- “Syria: Armed Opposition Takes Yarmouk base/article4061675.ece. Refugee Camp,” al-Akhbar, December 17, 36 “PFLP-GC Leader 'Injured in Assassination 2012, http://english.al- Attempt' in Damascus,” Ma’an News Agency, akhbar.com/node/14411. November 23, 2012, 43 “Free Syrian Army: Ahmad Jibril in Lebanon,” NOW Lebanon, December 21,

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2012, %A7%D8%AA- https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/nownews/free_s %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9 yrian_army_ahmad_jibril_in_lebanon. %87%D8%A9- 44 “Ahmed Jibril Leaves Damascus After %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8 Clashes in Yarmouk Palestinian Camp,” Iran %A8%D9%8A%D8%A9- Radio Islam (IRIB), December 16, 2012, %D9%81%D9%8A- http://english.irib.ir/radioislam/news/islam-in- %D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8 asia/item/85052-ahmed-jibril-leaves- %A7. See Also: “Yarmouk News (Neutral) damascus-after-clashes-in-yarmouk- Announcement,” Facebook, June 16, 2013, palestinian-camp. The same story was also https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=50 reposted on Iran’s Press TV: 5716149482617&set=a.380224395365127.97 http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/12/16/27833 135.380168365370730&type=1&theater. 0/palestinian-chief-leaves-syrian-capital/. 54 “Kata’ib al-shahiid al-batal nidhal aleani” 45 “Al-qa’ida al-ama tanfi mughadara jibril ila [“Battalion of the Heroic Martyr Nidhal iran” [“General Command Denies Jibril Left Aleani”], Facebook, December 19, 2012, for Iran”], Aks al-Ser, December 11, 2012, https://www.facebook.com/nedal3lean. http://www.aksalser.com/?page=view_news&i 55 Manzar, “Palestinians at Yarmouk Camp d=3ca192b25fd3b80fe50a27c2e1a5ed9c&ar= Are Forced to Take Sides.” 419462477. 56 Moe Ali Nayel, “Yarmouk Activist 46 “Palestinian Faction Leader Jibril Leaves Describes "Atrocious" State of War-Torn Damascus--Rebels.” Camp in Syria,” Electronic Intifada, February 47 PFLP-GC Statement, Facebook, December 26, 2013, 18, 2012, http://electronicintifada.net/content/yarmouk- https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=13 activist-describes-atrocious-state-war-torn- 5030589985354&set=pb.100268260128254.- camp-syria/12231. 2207520000.1371357649.&type=3&theater. 57 Al-Siyasi (), 48 “Ahmad Jibril to Be Expelled from the http://www.alsiasi.com/hot-news/88248-2013- PLO,” al-Akhbar, December 18, 2012, 03-28-14-00-55. See also: http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/ahmad- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD7usG4 jibril-be-expelled-plo. TiCo, 49 “Palestinian Refugees in Syria Flee After http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_Q6DLn Regime Assault,” France 24, December 20, PCGE. 2012, 58 “Istishad 6, min al-jabha al-sha’bi al-tahrir http://observers.france24.com/content/201212 al-falastin al-qa’ida al-ama – ala al-idi anasr 20-palestinian-refugees-syria-yarmouk-camp. jabhat al-nusra bmukhayem al-yarmouk fi 50 “Report: Top Palestinian Operative Killed dimashq [“Martyrdom of 6 Members of the in Syria,” Ynet, December 24, 2013, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine- http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L- General Command at the Hands of Jabhat al- 4324106,00.html. Nusra in the Yarmouk Camp in Damascus”], 51 Personal Observation, January 25, 2013. Syria Now, April 17, 2013, 52 See: http://www.palestinesons.com/ar/. http://www.syrianow.sy/index.php?d=2&id=7 53 “Miqatl qaid ameliat al-jabhat al-shabiat fi 5731. suriya”[“Popular Front Commander Killed in 59 “Palestinian Fighters Take on Syrian Syria”], al-Akhbar, December 24, 2012, Militants at Yarmouk Camp,” Press TV, July http://akhbaar24.argaam.com/article/detail/121 21, 2013, 127/%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84- http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/07/21/31494 %D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AF- 2/palestinians-take-on-syrian-militants/. %D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D8

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60 Patrick J. McDonnell, “In Syria, Battle for http://www.yalibnan.com/2010/04/08/fierce- Damascus Is Also Waged in Suburbs,” Los clashes-between-palestinians-of-pflp-gc/. Angeles Times, July 30, 2013, 71 “PFLP-GC Denies Its Members Caused http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo Kfar Zabad Clash,” NOW Lebanon, April 9, rld/middleeast/la-fg-syria-suburban-war- 2010, 20130730,0,422898,full.story. https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/nownews/pflp- 61 M. Nasser, “Palestinian Popular Committees gc_denies_its_members_caused_kfar_zabad_c Clear Neighborhoods in al-Yarmouk Camp,” lash. Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), July 21, 72 “LBCI: Dispute Between PFLP-GC Chief’s 2013, Son, Other Party Officials Caused Thursday http://sana.sy/eng/337/2013/07/21/493521.htm Clash,” NOW Lebanon, April 9, 2010, . https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/nownews/lbci_d 62 PC-YRC Statement, Facebook, August 2, ispute_between_pflp- 2013. gc_chiefs_son_other_party_officials_caused_t 63 “Abu Abbas,” The Telegraph, March 11, hursday_clash. 2004, 73 "Man Killed at Beirut's Shatila Camp,” The http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/14 Daily Star, August 6, 2012, 56489/Abu-Abbas.html. http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local- 64 Aaron Mannes, “A Life of Terror: Abu News/2012/Aug-06/183573-man-killed-at- Abbas Dies,” National Review, March 10, beiruts-shatila-camp.ashx#axzz2XfBSTByU. 2004, 74 “PFLP-GC Divided on Syria Stance,” Ma'an http://www.nationalreview.com/node/209837/ News Agency, August 8, 2012, print. http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.as 65 David Tal, “The International Dimension of px?ID=510710. PFLP-GC Activity,” International Terrorism 75 “PFLP-GC Says Palestinian Brigade in in 1989, The Jaffee Center for Strategic Syria 'Dangerous',” Ma’an News Agency, Studies (1990), February 11, 2012, http://212.150.54.123/articles/articledet.cfm?a http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.as rticleid=25. px?ID=533209. 66 Ibid. 76 Hakim was a PFLP-GC representative at the 67 “H. E. Sayyed Nasrallah Met with PFLP- time this article was written, from August GC Delegation Headed by Talal Naji,” al- 2011: “Palestinians Rally in Gaza City for al- Ahed News, December 11, 2009, Quds Day,” Ma'an News Agency, August, 26, http://english.alahednews.com.lb/essaydetailsf 2011, .php?eid=9693&fid=55. http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.as 68 Thanaa Imam, “Jibril's Son Buried near px?ID=416284. However, by December 2012, Damascus,” UPI, May 22, 2002, Hakim adopted an anti-Asad stance and was http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security- no longer a member of the PFLP-GC’s Industry/2002/05/22/Jibrils-son-buried-near- politburo in Palestinian areas. See also: Damascus/UPI-19171022081250/. Mohammed Suliman, “PFLP on Defense in 69 Nicholas Blanford, “Sources See Factional Gaza over Ties to Assad,” al-Monitor, Fighting Behind Jihad Jibril Hit,” The Daily December 27, 2012, http://www.al- Star, May 21, 2002, monitor.com/pulse/originals/2012/al- http://www.lebanonwire.com/0205/02052107 monitor/pflp-on-defense-in-gaza.html. DS.asp. 77 Imam, “Jibril's Son Buried near Damascus.” 70 “Fierce Clashes Between Palestinians of See also: “Al-Slutat al-masriyyat tamen PFLP-GC,” Ya Libnan, April 8, 2010, Ahmad Jbril min dakhul Gaza” [“Egyptian Authorities Prevent Ahmed Jibril’s Son from

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Entering Gaza”], al-Quds, February 18, 2013, 86 Mohammed Zaatari, “Tensions Flare Again http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/4 in Ain al-Hilweh over Syria War,” The Daily 18762#.UW93PLXU-AU. Star, January 24, 2013, 78 Mohamed Harfoush, “Palestinian Militant http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local- Group Spreads Through Bekaa Valley,” al- News/2013/Jan-24/203633-tensions-flare- Monitor, December 21, 2012, http://www.al- again-in-ain-al-hilweh-over-syria- monitor.com/pulse/politics/2012/12/pflp- w.ashx#axzz2XfBSTByU. general-command-bases-under-the- 87 “Clashes Erupt in Ain al-Helweh,” NOW microscope-mapping-their-spread-from- Lebanon, March 12, 2013, naameh-to- https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/latestnews/al- qusaya.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_mediu jadeed-heavy-gunfire-heard-in-sidons-ain-al- m=twitter. hilweh-emergency-meeting-convenes-in- 79 camp. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caM4KExx 88 “The 48th Anniversary of the Start of the QTM. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine- 80 Nicholas Blanford, “Syrian Sides Prepare General Command”, [in ], Dinya for Key Damascus Battle,” The Daily Star, Watan, January 26, 2013, http://www.alwatanvoice.com/arabic/news/20 http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle- 13/04/19/384277.html. East/2013/Jan-26/203769-syrian-sides- 89 “Jisim lebees” [“Tough Body”], El-Nashra, prepare-for-key-damascus- November 24, 2012, battle.ashx#axzz2XfBSTByU. http://www.elnashra.com/news/show/550805/ 81 Manal Kortam, “Politics, Patronage and %D8%AC%D8%B3%D9%85. Popular Committees” in Are Knudsen and Sari 90 “Sheikh’s Disappearance Triggers Beqaa Hanafi (eds.), Palestinian Refugees: Identity, Protest,” NOW Lebanon, March 8, 2013, Space and Place in the Levant (New York https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/lebanonnews/sh City: Routledge, 2011), p. 196. eikhs-disappearance-triggers-beqaa-protest. 82 Gambill, “Sponsoring Terrorism.” 91 “MTV: Mu'skarat tadrib al-jebhat al- 83 “PFLP-GC Release Lebanese Soldiers, shabiyeh fi lubnan taht saytarat al-jish [jaysh] Deny Killing Surveyor,” Lebanon Wire, al-suri” [“MTV: PFLP Training Camps in October 27, 2005, Lebanon Under Syrian [Army] Control”], El- http://www.lebanonwire.com/1005/05102703 Nashra, January 4, 2013, LW.asp. http://www.elnashra.com/news/show/566324/ 84 Mohammed Zaatari, “PFLP-GC Denies MTV- Rumors of Military Activity in Ain al- %D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8% Hilweh,” The Daily Star, October 18, 2011, B1%D8%A7%D8%AA- http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local- %D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8 News/2011/Oct-18/151564-pflp-gc-denies- %A8- rumors-of-military-activity-in-ain-al- %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9 hilweh.ashx#axzz2XfBSTByU. %87%D8%A9- 85 Mohammed Zaatari, “Ain al-Hilweh %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8 Shooting Targets PFLP-GC,” The Daily Star, %A8%D9%8A%D8%A9- December 8, 2012, %D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9 http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local- %86-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AA- News/2012/Dec-08/197704-ain-al-hilweh- %D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8 shooting-targets-pflp- %A9-%D8%A7. gc.ashx#axzz2XfBSTByU. 92 “VDL (93.3): The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine,” April 12, 2013,

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http://www.lebanonews.net/content/vdl-933- war-causes-hamas-split-analysts- popular-front-liberation-palestine. say.ashx#axzz2XoVjU7Fx. 93 “El-Nashra: Eshtibakat bayn al-jaysh al- 98 “Former Hamas Official Released by suri al-hurr w anaser min al jabha al sh'abiya Gunmen in Syria,” Ma’an News Agency, litahrir falastin – al-qa’iada al-Amma fi April 17, 2012, jaroud qusayya fi al-bekaa” [“Clashes http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.as Between the Free Syrian Army and Members px?ID=477125. of the Popular Front for the Liberation of 99 Suliman, “PFLP on Defense in Gaza over Palestine-General Command in Jaroud Qusaya Ties to Assad.” in the Bekka,”] El Nashra, April 11, 2013, 100 Khaled Abu Toameh, “PFLP Senior http://www.elnashra.com/news/show/605092/ Member Escapes Assassination Attempt,” The %D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B4%D8 Post, January 22, 2013, %B1%D8%A9- http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/PFLP- %D8%A5%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8 senior-member-escapes-assassination-attempt. %A7%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%AA- 101 See a pro-PFLP-GC Facebook page, which %D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86- repeats this narrative: %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8 https://www.facebook.com/pages/%D8%A7% %B4- D9%84%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%8 %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8 6- %B1%D9%8A- %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8 %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1- %A8%D9%8A%D8%A9- %D9%88%D8%B9%D9%86%D8%A7%D8 %D9%88%D9%85%D8%AE%D9%8A%D9 %B5%D8%B1- %85- %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9 %D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9 %87. %85%D9%88%D9%83- 94 Antoine Ghattas Saab, “Jumblatt’s Message %D9%86%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%B2/14363 to Syria Mirrors That of Turkey,” The Daily 4025786460?ref=ts&fref=ts. Star, August 12, 2011, 102 “Al-mukhayimat hurass” ["Camp Guards"], http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/20 YouTube, November 16, 2012, 11/Aug-12/Jumblatts-message-to-Syria- http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvqE4qO mirrors-that-of-Turkey.ashx#axzz2VDjifetn. Sdpq-Gg6T4uwjSrg?feature=watch. 95 “PFLP-GC Rocket Launchers on 888 Hill 103 M. Nassr and M. Ismael, “Terrorists Open Outrage Jumblatt,” Ya Libnan, August 15, Fire on Palestinians Marching Back to Their 2011, Houses in Yarmouk Camp,” Syrian Arab http://www.yalibnan.com/2011/08/15/pflp-gc- News Agency, May 15, 2013, rocket-launchers-on-888-hill-outrage- http://sana.sy/eng/337/2013/05/15/482360.htm jumblatt/. . 96 “Only Hezbullah, PFLP-GC Possess 104 PFLP-GC Statement, Facebook, January Ballouneh Type Rockets, CAN,” Ya Libnan, 16, 2013, June 23, 2013, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=14 http://www.yalibnan.com/2013/06/23/only- 3976449090768&set=pb.100268260128254.- hezbullah-pflp-gc-possess-ballouneh-type- 2207520000.1371333747.&type=3&theater. rockets/. 105 “French Court Reverses Decision to 97 Adel Zaanoun, “Syria’s Sectarian War Release Georges Abdallah,” Naharnet, April Causes Hamas Split, Analysts Say,” The Daily 4, 2013, Star, June 22, 2013, http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/78266. http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle- 106 “George Abdallah to Be Released After 28 East/2013/Jun-22/221176-syrias-sectarian- Years in France Jail,” al-Manar, January 17,

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2013, %88%D8%B7- http://www.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.ph %D9%88%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B9%D9% p?eid=79626&cid=23&fromval=1. See also: 84-%D8%B6%D9%8A%D8%B9- “Protesters Pelt Eggs, Stones at French %D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%84%D8 Embassy in Beirut,” PressTV, January 14, %A9- 2013, %D8%AD%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B3&cati http://www.presstv.com/detail/2013/01/14/283 d=69:2009-08-08-09-57-18&Itemid=219. 530/antifrance-protest-goes-off-in-beirut/; 112 Anne Barnard and Hwaida Saad, “Sunni “France Again Bows to US, Israeli Pressure Cleric Issues Appeal for World’s Muslims to on Liberation of Georges Abdallah,” PressTV, Help Syrian Rebels,” The New York Times, March 2, 2013, June 1, 2013, http://www.presstv.com/detail/2013/03/02/291 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/02/world/mi 487/france-again-bows-to-us-israeli-pressure- ddleeast/syria-developments.html. on-liberation-of-georges-abdallah/. 113 “Al-jabha al-sha’bi al-tahrir al-falastine 107 “PFLP-GC Claims Responsibility for the al-qa’ida bqasas min al-qaradawi” [“Popular Tel Aviv Bus Bombing,” al-Alam TV (Iran), Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General November 21, 2012,” Middle East Media Command Demands Punishment for Research Institute (MEMRI), November 22, Qaradawi”], al-Ba’ath Media, June 1, 2013, 2012, http://albaathmedia.sy/index.php?option=com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXHi2pm3 _content&view=article&id=74488:%D8%A7 bAM. %D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9%87%D8 108 Gili Cohen, “Israel Arrests Hamas, Islamic %A9- Jihad Cell Behind Tel Aviv Bus Bomb,” %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8 Haaretz November 22, 2012, %A8%D9%8A%D8%A9- http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy- %D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9 defense/israel-arrests-hamas-islamic-jihad- %8A%D8%B1- cell-behind-tel-aviv-bus-bomb-1.479958. %D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9% 109 Dominic Evans, “Assad and Nasrallah 8A%D9%86- Threaten New Front Line in Golan,” Reuters, %D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%8A%D8 May 10, 2013, http://news.yahoo.com/assad- %A7%D8%AF%D8%A9- nasrallah-threaten-front-line-golan- %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9 161346188.html. %85%D8%A9- 110 “Israel’s “Golan Poker”: Tel Aviv and %D8%AA%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8 Doha vs. Damascus,” Ahlul Bayt News %A8- Agency (Iran), June 16, 2013, %D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8 http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=430166. %B5%D8%A7%D8%B5-%D9%85%D9%86- 111 “Jibril: Suriya asiya an al-saqut w mashal %D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B1%D8 dayla bwasla hamas” [“Jibril: Syria Refuses to %B6%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A&catid=69: Fall and Mashal Has Lost the Compass of 2009-08-08-09-57-18&Itemid=219 Hamas”], al-Ba’ath Media, June 11, 2013, 114 Personal Observation, August 4, 2013. See: http://albaathmedia.sy/index.php?option=com http://www.facebook.com/popularcyc. _content&view=article&id=74911:%D8%AC 115 Nadezhda Kevorkova, "Syria Is a Battle for %D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%84- Palestine,” Russia Today, April 2, 2013, %D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8 http://rt.com/op-edge/syria-palestine-battle- %A9- massacre-219/. %D8%B9%D8%B5%D9%8A%D8%A9- 116 “Terrorist Organization Profile: Arab %D8%B9%D9%86- Liberation Front (ALF),” Study of Terrorism %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%82%D9 and Responses to Terrorism (START) Center,

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http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data_collection November 5, 2012, s/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=1 http://www.inbaa.com/%D8%A3%D8%A8% 51. D9%88- 117 Mark Oliva, “Marines Discover Iraqi %D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF- Terror Training Camp,” Stars and Stripes, %D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B2- April 13, 2003, %D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B7%D9%81%D9% http://www.stripes.com/news/marines- 89-%D9%84%D9%80- discover-iraqi-terror-training-camp-1.4334. %D8%A5%D9%86%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8 118 This cooperation has gone on for many %A1- years. See: Esther Webman, "Political Islam at %D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%83%D9 the Close of the Twentieth Century,” in Bruce %88%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84/. Maddy-Weitzman (ed.), Middle East 123 "Fasil falastini: Youm al-quds al-'alami Contemporary Survey: 1999, Volume 23; munasib lishhaz al-himam w ta'fail al-taqat" Volume 1999 (Tel Aviv, Israel: Tel Aviv [“Palestinian Faction: Global Al-Quds Day Is University, 2001), p. 117. an Occasion to Build Momentum for the 119 Personal conversation with former PFLP- Struggle”], Fars News Agency, August 1, GC militant, “Abu Rafa,” June 19, 2013. 2013, 120 “Al-jabha al-sha’bi al-tahrir al-falastine: http://arabic.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn= Sanaqatl bijanib iran w hizb allah ma' al- 9204028522. Also: Al-Manar TV report, nitham al-suri duday adwan kharji” [“Popular August 2, 2013. Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General 124 Aaron Mannes, Profiles in Terror: The Command: We Will Fight Together with Iran Guide to Middle East Terrorist Organizations and Hizballah with the Syrian Regime Against (Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Any Foreign Aggression”], Agence France Publishers, 2004), p. 323. Presse (AFP), July 4, 2012, 125 Hazem Saghieh, “Syria’s Ahmed Jibril and http://www.altawhid.org/2012/07/04/%D8%A the Palestinian Cause,” al-Arabiya, December 7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9%87%D8 19, 2012, %A9- http://www.alarabiya.net/views/2012/12/19/25 %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8 5903.html. %A8%D9%8A%D8%A9- 126 See Husam Arafat’s Twitter and Facebook %D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9 profiles: https://twitter.com/Husam_Arafat and %8A%D8%B1- https://www.facebook.com/husamarafat1?ref= %D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9% stream. 8A%D9%86- 127 “PFLP-GC Leader Dies in Syria,” Ma’an %D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%8A%D8 News Agency, May 18, 2013, %A7%D8%AF%D8%A9/. http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.as 121 “Iran Launches Aid Convoy for Palestinian px?ID=596824. Refugees in Lebanon,” al-Balad, August 8, 128 Hussain Abdul-Hussain, “PFLP-GC 2012, Leader’s Son Killed by Car Bomb in Beirut,” http://www.albaladonline.com/ar/NewsDetails The Daily Star, May 21, 2002, .aspx?pageid=44825. http://www.lebanonwire.com/0205/02052109 122 “Abu Imad Ramez Mustafa li ‘Inbaa’: DS.asp. Atrakua al-mukhimat ba'ida w nehna la alaqa lana bidakhal al-suri, baghidha al-nathr an muwaqifna” [“Abu Imad Ramez Mustafa to 'Inbaa': Leave the Camps Out, We Have No Relations to the Syrian Domestic Situation Regardless of Our Positions”], al-Inbaa,

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