The Lebanese army has speeded up its operation against Fatah al-Islam militants hiding in Palestine refugee camps. After a bloody Sunday offensive that culminated in the killing of eight militants, the army moved its strike forces deep in to the Nahr al-Bared camp where militants are holed up. Now the Lebanese army is on the verge of its final push to decimate the militants there.
The ongoing clash between the Islamic militants and the Lebanese army is an offshoot of complex political situation in Lebanon. Divided in to various groups owing affiliation to outside forces like Syria, Iran, America, Israel and Palestine, the country is deeply divided and prone to terror activities. The decree of the Central government is hardly obeyed in the capital city Beirut.
During the thirty yearlong virtual Syrian military occupation of the country, Islamic militants particularly Hizbollah and Fatah al-Islam were patronized to destabilize peace in Israel. But after the forced eviction of the Syrian troops and last year’s military offensive by Israel to punish Hizbollah, the Lebanese army has taken over the control of the southern Lebanon, the strong hold of Islamic militants. Under the western pressure, the Lebanese army is taking action to clear out the area of militants and in the process it has to fight a bloody war with the Fatah al-Islam.
The army action against the Fatah al-Islam is going on for last two months. More than 200 people have already died and thousands of Palestine refugees have fled from the Nahr al-Bared camp. But, still half of the camp is under the control of the militants and any assault by the army may aggravate the humanitarian crisis.
The army-militants fighting is the worst ever case of internal violence after the end of Lebanon civil war in 1990. But the continuous interference of foreign powers in the Lebanon internal matters and the deep divisions in the country along with the presence of Islamic militants make Lebanon quite vulnerable to violence and internal strife.
Via: BBC
