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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Al-Qaeda setting up new operation in Levant under the leadership of mysterious Syrian |
| 2006-04-05 |
| Jordanian security sources have confirmed statements from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in early March alleging the presence of Al Qaeda terror operatives in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. London-based Arab daily Al Hayat on Tuesday quoted the sources as saying that the movement has commenced its activities in the Palestinian Territories. Abbas had in an interview published by the same newspaper on March 2 said that Palestinian authorities had “signs” that Al Qaeda had established a foothold in the area, adding that the development could have dire consequences for the Middle East. The latest report said a movement directly affiliated to Al Qaeda had been planning an operation aimed at a vital strategic target in Gaza City, but that the operation was foiled. The sources indicated that the movement’s membership exceeded ten individuals, but did not say whether any of them were arrested or not. Al Qaeda militants are reportedly making use of the chaotic situation in the overpopulated Gaza Strip to build an organizational network in the area. Conditions in the West Bank are however not as conducive due to its relative stability and due to Israel’s tight control over this territory. Al Qaeda is said to have restructured its organization in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine and reportedly also appointed a new leader in charge of the area who is of Syrian origin. Analysts say this latest appointment seems to indicate that the movement has sought to limit the influence of Jordanian-born terrorists Abu Musab Al Zarqawi’s organizational network in Iraq. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |