Rival Palestinian security forces got into shootout over parking space at Fatah conference
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 E-Mail this story Free Headline Alerts
RAMALLAH Ñ Tensions remains high between rival security forces in the Palestinian Authority despite U.S. efforts that include training.
The tensions were apparent during the Fatah General Conference in Bethlehem in August. Officers from rival security agencies fought over authority and turf as Fatah leaders convened for the first time in 20 years.
On Aug. 7, officers from rival PA forces engaged in a shootout just outside the conference hall in Bethlehem. The sources said officers from the Presidential Guard and General Intelligence began shooting at each other and one person was injured.
"The fight started when one of the officers parked his vehicle in a spot claimed by another," a security source said.
The shootout sparked panic around the conference, which took place in a Vatican-sponsored school. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who also heads Fatah, later acknowledged the gun battle, but said it was not serious.
Security sources said PA security forces have refused to cooperate on such issues as joint investigations and operations. The sources said the refusal reflected growing tension between rival agencies and forces.
"Sometimes, it is dangerous just leaving forces from different agencies together in one place," the source said.
"Only in very few cases, did these operations even vaguely succeed," the source said. "Most of the time, commanders spent their time trying to prevent a blow-up."
In 2009, U.S. security envoy Lt. Gen. Keith Dayton planned joint operations of such agencies as the Preventive Security Apparatus and General Intelligence. Dayton also drafted operations by the National Security Forces and the Presidential Guard.
GI has been regarded as one of the most problematic security agencies in the PA. The intelligence agency has clashed with PSA, particularly around Nablus.