[Jerusalem Post] Khaled Abu Toameh - In the recent fighting, Abbas' supporters suffered major casualties and many senior figures belonging to Fatah are now afraid to sleep in their homes. The resignation over the weekend of Gen. Rashid Abu Shabak, a top Fatah security commander in Gaza, days after Hamas gunmen raided his villa in Gaza City and killed six of his bodyguards, is further evidence of the collapse of the PA security infrastructure. Seven other senior Fatah commanders have been killed by Hamas militiamen over the past year in Gaza. Abbas has lost much of his influence over the PA security forces, not to mention the scores of Fatah-controlled militias that are responsible for the ongoing state of anarchy and lawlessness. Under current circumstances, the millions of dollars that the U.S. is investing in training and arming Abbas' "Presidential Guard" are likely to go down the drain. A security force that can't arrest a car thief will never stand up against Hamas.
2007-05-30 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive