Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

23 Saudi Fatah al Islam Members Killed | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat- Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) factions and head of Fatah Movement in Lebanon, Brigadier General Sultan Abul Ainain, informed Asharq Al-Awsat that 23 Saudi members of Fatah al Islam group were killed, according to the latest official figures. They were buried together in a mass grave in Nahr al Bared camp.

Abul Ainain revealed that the information obtained from various Fatah al Islam members who had turned themselves in indicated that the group had 43 Saudi members, of whom 23 were killed during the armed clashes with the Lebanese army.

When asked about the remains of the bodies, Abul Ainain said that the group had identified two locations where some 40 bodies, including the 23 Saudis and 20 others, were all buried together. He pointed out that Fatah movement had not received the remains of any militants who had been fighting with Fatah al Islam, as precautions had been taken to bury them in various dispersed places.

The secretary-general also disclosed that a Saudi militant, who has yet to be named, has recently surrendered to Fatah movement at the Nahr al Bared camp. The movement has handed him over to the Lebanese army in coordination with Saudi Embassy in Beirut.

Some Fatah sources at the Nahr al Bared camp had previously disclosed to Asharq Al-Awsat information regarding the surrender of a Saudi militant with Fatah al Islam who had come forward at an early stage in the clashes between the group and the Lebanese army. The aforementioned person [who is different from the militant who has recently surrendered] had legally entered Lebanon coming in from Saudi Arabia five months ago. He had since been successfully recruited by Fatah al Islam after his arrival in Lebanon, last February 10th, under the claim of combat in Palestine and Iraq.

The militant who turned himself early cited illness when he surrendered to Fatah a few days into the clashes between the Lebanese army and the militant group. He told Fatah officials that he had sought military training and equipment from Fatah al Islam with the only purpose of fighting against the US in Iraq and for jihadi fighting in Palestine. He denied any previous knowledge of the group’s intention to fight against the Lebanese army and instigate an internal sedition.

This same source informed Fatah that Fatah al Islam had 40 Saudi members who had been recruited through an ideological mobilization that was based on fighting the Americans, jihadi combat in Iraq and the liberation of Jerusalem.