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June 1, 2007

Lebanon: Army Launches Assault Against Fatah al-Islam Islamists

On Sunday May 20, the Lebanese army launched an offensive against members of Sunni terror group Fatah al-Islam, who were based in the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in Tripoli in the north of the country. Last week, during a respite from hostilities, many members of the refugee camp escaped, not wishing to be caught up in cycles of violence. The May 20 attacks had followed attacks and and a bank robbery launched by Fatah al-Islam, which is an offshoot of the Syrian-based and Syrian-backed Fatah al-Intifada.

Before the fighting erupted, more than 30,000 Palestinian refugees had been housed in the Nahr al-Bared camp. According to the Red Cross, about 10,000 refugees may remain in the camp.

News from Time, Reuters CNN reports that today, the Lebanese army entered the Nahr al-Bared camp.

Estimates of those killed vary - Lebanese officials say 30 soldiers, 50 militants and one civilian have been killed, but militants claim only 25 of their number have been killed and claim that 20 civilians have died. The army claims that the militants are using civilians as human shields.

Reuters states that before today, 84 people have died in the conflict that began on May 20 - 35 soldiers, 29 militants and 20 civilians. According to Reuters, security sources have said that today 60 civilians and 18 soldiers were wounded and 16 people died in the camp today.

The army entered the northern edge of the camp, backed up by tanks and gunboats. 150mm shells were also sent into the camp.

The leader of Fatah al-Islam, Shaker al-Abssi, is on a Syrian wanted list. He says he follows Al Qaeda's ideology but is not connected to Al Qaeda.He has at least 300 gunmen in the camp, most of whom are said to have fought in Iraq.

The Nahr al-Bared camp was established in 1948. Under a 1969 agreement, the Palestinian camps are run by Palestinians.

Mohamed Hakaima, a militant known to have links to Al Qaeda, was apparently responsible for a website message which read: "Islamists, rise up and aid your brothers in Nahr al-Bared. This is your religious duty."

Hezbollah (Hizbollah) which is Shia, is opposed to Fatah al-Islam, and supports the Lebanese army's moves to stamp out the movement. According to Lebanese authorities, members of Fatah al-Islam include individuals from Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Tunisia, Syria and Lebanon.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at June 1, 2007 3:22 PM

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Posted by: Berserker at June 3, 2007 12:30 AM

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