13 apr 2015
The Islamic State militant group in Syria is using heavy weaponry and artillery in ongoing fighting in the beleaguered Yarmouk refugee camp, a PLO official said Sunday.
Ahmad al-Majdalani, the PLO envoy to Syria, told Ma'an that despite heavy fighting with the Syrian army IS have maintained their positions in the camp and have redeployed to arrange future attacks.
"Political solutions regarding the Yarmouk crisis are over as IS has closed all doors on any political solution and is currently gathering its forces in the Yalda area in Syria in preparation to attack the camp," the official said.
Al-Majdalani, who returned from Syria at the weekend, will meet with President Abbas upon his return from Moscow to discuss the crisis.
Pierre Krahenbuhl, who heads the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA, on Monday called on all sides to respect the beleaguered civilians trapped inside Yarmouk.
"The Syria conflict has a human face. These are individuals with a dignity and destiny that must be at the center of our responses as we grapple with the complexities of protecting civilians, in Yarmouk and beyond."
Yarmouk, which is Syria's largest refugee camp lying seven kilometers south of Damascus, was initially attacked by IS on April 1, and the group subsequently took over the majority of the camp.
Although hundreds of residents have been evacuated, up to 18,000 residents remain trapped inside the camp, which has been besieged by the Syrian army for more than a year.
The camp was once home to 160,000 people, Syrians as well as Palestinians, but its population has dwindled since the uprising erupted in March 2011.
Although the PLO has publicly rejected Palestinian involvement in a military campaign, citing a longstanding policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of Arab nations, on Saturday Majdalani said the situation was out of the hands of the Palestinian leadership.
He told Ma'an that the resort to military action had been imposed on Palestinian groups inside the camp.
Ahmad al-Majdalani, the PLO envoy to Syria, told Ma'an that despite heavy fighting with the Syrian army IS have maintained their positions in the camp and have redeployed to arrange future attacks.
"Political solutions regarding the Yarmouk crisis are over as IS has closed all doors on any political solution and is currently gathering its forces in the Yalda area in Syria in preparation to attack the camp," the official said.
Al-Majdalani, who returned from Syria at the weekend, will meet with President Abbas upon his return from Moscow to discuss the crisis.
Pierre Krahenbuhl, who heads the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA, on Monday called on all sides to respect the beleaguered civilians trapped inside Yarmouk.
"The Syria conflict has a human face. These are individuals with a dignity and destiny that must be at the center of our responses as we grapple with the complexities of protecting civilians, in Yarmouk and beyond."
Yarmouk, which is Syria's largest refugee camp lying seven kilometers south of Damascus, was initially attacked by IS on April 1, and the group subsequently took over the majority of the camp.
Although hundreds of residents have been evacuated, up to 18,000 residents remain trapped inside the camp, which has been besieged by the Syrian army for more than a year.
The camp was once home to 160,000 people, Syrians as well as Palestinians, but its population has dwindled since the uprising erupted in March 2011.
Although the PLO has publicly rejected Palestinian involvement in a military campaign, citing a longstanding policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of Arab nations, on Saturday Majdalani said the situation was out of the hands of the Palestinian leadership.
He told Ma'an that the resort to military action had been imposed on Palestinian groups inside the camp.
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, denied the allegations claiming that the Head of Hamas political bureau Khaled Mishaal asked PFLP-GC Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Talal Naji to intervene to save the lives of Aknaf Bait al-Magdes fighters.
The allegations were made by the envoy of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) to Syria Ahmad Majdalani. Hamas confirmed that the report is baseless.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, in statements on Monday, that Mishaal contacted Dr. Naji asking him to exert efforts to guarantee a secure evacuation of the camp’s inhabitants in order to save their lives.
The call was part of many other calls that Hamas leadership had made to save the lives of civilians in the refugee camp, he added.
Abu Zuhri affirmed that Hamas has no battle against any party in the Syrian arena. He called on the PA and PLO envoy to Syria to rather exert real efforts in protecting the Palestinian refugees in the Yarmouk camp instead of spreading defamatory claims.
The allegations were made by the envoy of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) to Syria Ahmad Majdalani. Hamas confirmed that the report is baseless.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, in statements on Monday, that Mishaal contacted Dr. Naji asking him to exert efforts to guarantee a secure evacuation of the camp’s inhabitants in order to save their lives.
The call was part of many other calls that Hamas leadership had made to save the lives of civilians in the refugee camp, he added.
Abu Zuhri affirmed that Hamas has no battle against any party in the Syrian arena. He called on the PA and PLO envoy to Syria to rather exert real efforts in protecting the Palestinian refugees in the Yarmouk camp instead of spreading defamatory claims.
12 apr 2015
Mushir al-Masri
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, denied again having any connection with Aknaf Bait al-Maqdes brigades in Yarmouk camp for Palestinian refugees in Syria.
The senior Hamas official Mushir al-Masri said, in a statement posted on his Facebook page, “Hamas does not have any military formations in Syria”, stressing that Hamas has no relation whatsoever with Aknaf Bait al-Maqdes or any other armed group.
Aknaf Bait al-Maqdes was one of the biggest armed parties controlling the Yarmouk camp before the alliance between Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State (IS) which took over most of the camp.
As Aknaf Bait al-Maqdes has not announced belonging to any party, some allegations have been rumoring that most of its fighters were working as bodyguards at the office of the Head of Hamas political bureau Khaled Mishaal before it was moved from Damascus in Syria to Doha in Qatar.
Masri described what has been taking place in Yarmouk camp as “a massacre targeting the Palestinian existence”.
He renewed his Movement’s call on all the armed parties in the devastated camp to cease fire, halt the bloody fighting, and neutralize the camp.
The IS stormed Yarmouk camp in the beginning of April and took over most parts of it following clashes with Aknaf Bait al-Maqdes brigades.
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, denied again having any connection with Aknaf Bait al-Maqdes brigades in Yarmouk camp for Palestinian refugees in Syria.
The senior Hamas official Mushir al-Masri said, in a statement posted on his Facebook page, “Hamas does not have any military formations in Syria”, stressing that Hamas has no relation whatsoever with Aknaf Bait al-Maqdes or any other armed group.
Aknaf Bait al-Maqdes was one of the biggest armed parties controlling the Yarmouk camp before the alliance between Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State (IS) which took over most of the camp.
As Aknaf Bait al-Maqdes has not announced belonging to any party, some allegations have been rumoring that most of its fighters were working as bodyguards at the office of the Head of Hamas political bureau Khaled Mishaal before it was moved from Damascus in Syria to Doha in Qatar.
Masri described what has been taking place in Yarmouk camp as “a massacre targeting the Palestinian existence”.
He renewed his Movement’s call on all the armed parties in the devastated camp to cease fire, halt the bloody fighting, and neutralize the camp.
The IS stormed Yarmouk camp in the beginning of April and took over most parts of it following clashes with Aknaf Bait al-Maqdes brigades.
11 apr 2015
Chairman of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, Ziad al-Aloul, hailed ongoing initiatives to launch the international campaign to preserve the Palestinian identity in the Lebanese Capital, Beirut.
Al-Aloul said, in press statements, that the launch of the al-Intima (Belonging) campaign under the slogan “Palestine our shared home; return our shared appointment” is evident proof that the Palestinian refugee camps are mere provisional stopovers in the journey back home.
The campaign also bears witness to Palestinians’ unyielding commitment to the liberation of Palestine and their right of return, he added.
“The Palestinians just refuse to substitute their homeland for another. Their presence at diaspora camps is a brief break in their journey towards homecoming,” the activist maintained.
“We shall never forget the Deir Yassin massacre perpetrated against our people just as we will never forget our native villages after 67 years have elapsed since the Nakba of Palestine,” he further stated.
“We just feel that we are closer to homecoming than ever before,” al-Aloul declared.
Commenting on the tragic state of affairs at Syria’s Yarmouk camp for Palestinian refugees, the activist said, as he harked back to the notorious Sabra and Shatila massacre: “The Sabra and Shatila camp had been blockaded for years until its refugee were left with no other choice than to eat cats in order to survive. Then the moment had come when the Israeli criminal Ariel Sharon and his armed Lebanese allies committed the most horrendous carnage the history of mankind has ever witnessed.”
“Thousands of innocent elderly civilians, women, and children were killed. History is just repeating itself,” he said
Innocent Palestinian refugees at Yarmouk camp have been subjected to murder, burglary, and torture, adding fuel to the fire of a life already marred by a tough blockade imposed on the camp for over two years, he concluded.
Al-Aloul said, in press statements, that the launch of the al-Intima (Belonging) campaign under the slogan “Palestine our shared home; return our shared appointment” is evident proof that the Palestinian refugee camps are mere provisional stopovers in the journey back home.
The campaign also bears witness to Palestinians’ unyielding commitment to the liberation of Palestine and their right of return, he added.
“The Palestinians just refuse to substitute their homeland for another. Their presence at diaspora camps is a brief break in their journey towards homecoming,” the activist maintained.
“We shall never forget the Deir Yassin massacre perpetrated against our people just as we will never forget our native villages after 67 years have elapsed since the Nakba of Palestine,” he further stated.
“We just feel that we are closer to homecoming than ever before,” al-Aloul declared.
Commenting on the tragic state of affairs at Syria’s Yarmouk camp for Palestinian refugees, the activist said, as he harked back to the notorious Sabra and Shatila massacre: “The Sabra and Shatila camp had been blockaded for years until its refugee were left with no other choice than to eat cats in order to survive. Then the moment had come when the Israeli criminal Ariel Sharon and his armed Lebanese allies committed the most horrendous carnage the history of mankind has ever witnessed.”
“Thousands of innocent elderly civilians, women, and children were killed. History is just repeating itself,” he said
Innocent Palestinian refugees at Yarmouk camp have been subjected to murder, burglary, and torture, adding fuel to the fire of a life already marred by a tough blockade imposed on the camp for over two years, he concluded.
At least 14 Palestinian refugees were recently killed in war torn-Syria
for reasons having to do with tough blockade, shelling, or armed clashes
in and around Palestinian refugee camps.
The Action Group for Palestinians in Syria said in a statement on Saturday 12 members of the Palestine Liberation Army (PLA) were killed while repelling attacks launched by extremist Daesh groups in Syria's southern province of Sweida, bringing the number of PLA’s casualties killed since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict to 132.
Another Palestinian refugee, identified as Wardan Youssef Hijazi, a resident of the Aydin refugee camp was tortured to death in the Syrian regime lock-ups after he was kidnapped from his own home on February 26. Yousef’s murder raises the death toll of Palestinians tortured to death in Syrian investigation crypts to 381.
Meanwhile, the group found out, via a leaked photo of the 28-year-old Palestinian refugee Laith Abu Rajab, that the latter died due to torture in the Syrian regime's prisons after being detained for two years and a half.
In the meantime, the Aknaf Beit al-Maqdis brigades managed to gain control over new sites in the vicinity of Loubia Street following sporadic clashes that broke out on Friday with Daesh terrorists, who withdrew towards Al Hajar Al Aswad area near Yarmouk and delivered some of its sites to Al Nusra Front.
The group further raised alarm bells over the sharp deterioration in health conditions inside the camp after it had run out of medical supplies. No international body has been able to gain access into the camp to deliver emergency medical aids.
The camp is also on the edge of a severe food crisis as the besieged residents have not been restocked with food for over two weeks. A tough siege tightened around the necks of Palestinian refugees at the starved camp for over two years led to the death of 175 refugees so far.
Many residents and relief activists inside the camp renewed their rebuff of any military intervention because of the danger it posed to the lives of about 18,000 civilian residents.
The Syrian regime forces, meanwhile, kidnapped the relief activist Ramia Khalil Sabha, said to be in her 30’s, from al-Bisan hospital in the Aydin refugee camp. Ramia’s brother, Rami, and three friends of his, were executed one month ago.
The Action Group said it has also been able to document the incarceration of 822 Palestinian refugees in Syrian jails since the eruption of the four-year-Syrian conflict.
13 Palestinian fighters killed as Syria regime battles IS in Damascus
Thirteen Palestinian fighters were killed in Yarmouk refugee camp on Saturday as fighting ensued between the Syrian regime and IS in the battle to defend Damascus, local reporters said.
PLO envoy to Syria Ahmed Majdalani announced Saturday that the current situation in Yarmouk was out of the hands of the Palestinian leadership, and that the Syrian regime has officially engaged in a battle to defend Damascus against the Islamic state group.
The 13 reported dead by local news site Yarmouk Camp News were the first reported dead from the new stage of fighting, but among many to be killed since IS took over the camp on April 1.
Majdalani told Ma'an that military action has been imposed on Palestinian groups by IS, forcing them to expand their military operations and end political solutions or negotiations.
"The regime engaged in a battle against Daesh in the camp in defense of the capital, Damascus, and the Syrians and the Palestinians...now what concerns us is to reach those who remain in the camp to give them security, and shelter," Majdalani said, using the Arabic acronym for IS.
"Decision of a military operation against Daesh in Yarmouk is the decision of the regime, and not our decision," said Majdalani, adding, "The system now fighting in the camp along with the PFLP-General Command."
Majdalani listed several families and groups in Yarmouk that pledged their allegiance to IS after having come under IS control.
On Thursday, during a meeting in Damascus, Majdalani said that 14 Palestinian factions supported "a security solution that will be carried out in partnership with the Syrian state" in order to clear the camp of extremist militants.
Following his comments, on Friday, senior Fatah official Major-General Tawfiq al-Tirawi called on party members in Lebanon and Syria to arm themselves and head to Yarmouk to fight IS.
Al-Tirawi told Ma'an that although Palestinian refugees are neutral in Syria's civil war, "terrorist groups like IS, al-Nusra Front and others" had pushed Palestinians into the conflict.
The PLO has long sought a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of Arab nations, and released a statement Friday declaring the desire to remain out of the armed conflict in Syria, deploring the potential of shedding the blood of Yarmouk's Palestinian refugees in a conflict that wasn't theirs.
Although hundreds of residents were evacuated, up to 18,000 residents remain inside the camp, which has been besieged by the Syrian army for more than a year.
Since the militant advance, regime forces have pounded the camp with shells and barrel bombs.
The camp was once home to 160,000 people, Syrians as well as Palestinians, but its population has dwindled since the uprising erupted in March 2011.
On Thursday, UN chief Ban Ki-moon called for action to prevent a massacre at Yarmouk, warning: "A refugee camp is beginning to resemble a death camp."
He said that the refugees, including 3,500 children, have been "turned into human shields", with armed fighters inside the camp and government forces outside.
"In the horror that is Syria, the Yarmouk refugee camp is the deepest circle of hell," Ban said, calling for the fighting to stop so aid can be delivered.
More than 230,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests which spiraled into war after a regime crackdown.
The Action Group for Palestinians in Syria said in a statement on Saturday 12 members of the Palestine Liberation Army (PLA) were killed while repelling attacks launched by extremist Daesh groups in Syria's southern province of Sweida, bringing the number of PLA’s casualties killed since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict to 132.
Another Palestinian refugee, identified as Wardan Youssef Hijazi, a resident of the Aydin refugee camp was tortured to death in the Syrian regime lock-ups after he was kidnapped from his own home on February 26. Yousef’s murder raises the death toll of Palestinians tortured to death in Syrian investigation crypts to 381.
Meanwhile, the group found out, via a leaked photo of the 28-year-old Palestinian refugee Laith Abu Rajab, that the latter died due to torture in the Syrian regime's prisons after being detained for two years and a half.
In the meantime, the Aknaf Beit al-Maqdis brigades managed to gain control over new sites in the vicinity of Loubia Street following sporadic clashes that broke out on Friday with Daesh terrorists, who withdrew towards Al Hajar Al Aswad area near Yarmouk and delivered some of its sites to Al Nusra Front.
The group further raised alarm bells over the sharp deterioration in health conditions inside the camp after it had run out of medical supplies. No international body has been able to gain access into the camp to deliver emergency medical aids.
The camp is also on the edge of a severe food crisis as the besieged residents have not been restocked with food for over two weeks. A tough siege tightened around the necks of Palestinian refugees at the starved camp for over two years led to the death of 175 refugees so far.
Many residents and relief activists inside the camp renewed their rebuff of any military intervention because of the danger it posed to the lives of about 18,000 civilian residents.
The Syrian regime forces, meanwhile, kidnapped the relief activist Ramia Khalil Sabha, said to be in her 30’s, from al-Bisan hospital in the Aydin refugee camp. Ramia’s brother, Rami, and three friends of his, were executed one month ago.
The Action Group said it has also been able to document the incarceration of 822 Palestinian refugees in Syrian jails since the eruption of the four-year-Syrian conflict.
13 Palestinian fighters killed as Syria regime battles IS in Damascus
Thirteen Palestinian fighters were killed in Yarmouk refugee camp on Saturday as fighting ensued between the Syrian regime and IS in the battle to defend Damascus, local reporters said.
PLO envoy to Syria Ahmed Majdalani announced Saturday that the current situation in Yarmouk was out of the hands of the Palestinian leadership, and that the Syrian regime has officially engaged in a battle to defend Damascus against the Islamic state group.
The 13 reported dead by local news site Yarmouk Camp News were the first reported dead from the new stage of fighting, but among many to be killed since IS took over the camp on April 1.
Majdalani told Ma'an that military action has been imposed on Palestinian groups by IS, forcing them to expand their military operations and end political solutions or negotiations.
"The regime engaged in a battle against Daesh in the camp in defense of the capital, Damascus, and the Syrians and the Palestinians...now what concerns us is to reach those who remain in the camp to give them security, and shelter," Majdalani said, using the Arabic acronym for IS.
"Decision of a military operation against Daesh in Yarmouk is the decision of the regime, and not our decision," said Majdalani, adding, "The system now fighting in the camp along with the PFLP-General Command."
Majdalani listed several families and groups in Yarmouk that pledged their allegiance to IS after having come under IS control.
On Thursday, during a meeting in Damascus, Majdalani said that 14 Palestinian factions supported "a security solution that will be carried out in partnership with the Syrian state" in order to clear the camp of extremist militants.
Following his comments, on Friday, senior Fatah official Major-General Tawfiq al-Tirawi called on party members in Lebanon and Syria to arm themselves and head to Yarmouk to fight IS.
Al-Tirawi told Ma'an that although Palestinian refugees are neutral in Syria's civil war, "terrorist groups like IS, al-Nusra Front and others" had pushed Palestinians into the conflict.
The PLO has long sought a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of Arab nations, and released a statement Friday declaring the desire to remain out of the armed conflict in Syria, deploring the potential of shedding the blood of Yarmouk's Palestinian refugees in a conflict that wasn't theirs.
Although hundreds of residents were evacuated, up to 18,000 residents remain inside the camp, which has been besieged by the Syrian army for more than a year.
Since the militant advance, regime forces have pounded the camp with shells and barrel bombs.
The camp was once home to 160,000 people, Syrians as well as Palestinians, but its population has dwindled since the uprising erupted in March 2011.
On Thursday, UN chief Ban Ki-moon called for action to prevent a massacre at Yarmouk, warning: "A refugee camp is beginning to resemble a death camp."
He said that the refugees, including 3,500 children, have been "turned into human shields", with armed fighters inside the camp and government forces outside.
"In the horror that is Syria, the Yarmouk refugee camp is the deepest circle of hell," Ban said, calling for the fighting to stop so aid can be delivered.
More than 230,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests which spiraled into war after a regime crackdown.
10 apr 2015
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on Thursday said it refuses to support any military operation to be launched on claims of saving the Palestinian refugees in the war-battered Yarmouk camp.
"We refuse to be drawn into any armed campaign, whatever its nature or cover, and we call for resorting to other means to spare the blood of our people and prevent more destruction and displacement for our people in the camp, the PLO's statement read.
The PLO promised to make efforts in cooperation with all concerned parties, most notably the UNRWA, to put an end to all forms of armed violence in the camp.
Earlier, Ahmad Majdalani, a member of the PLO executive committee, told a news conference in Damascus that the options that existed for a political solution were closed by the hardline Daash militia and that the crimes it had committed left them with no choice except a security one.
Daash militants grabbed hold of large parts of the Yarmouk camp 10 days ago after two years of tight blockade imposed by the Syrian regime army.
"We refuse to be drawn into any armed campaign, whatever its nature or cover, and we call for resorting to other means to spare the blood of our people and prevent more destruction and displacement for our people in the camp, the PLO's statement read.
The PLO promised to make efforts in cooperation with all concerned parties, most notably the UNRWA, to put an end to all forms of armed violence in the camp.
Earlier, Ahmad Majdalani, a member of the PLO executive committee, told a news conference in Damascus that the options that existed for a political solution were closed by the hardline Daash militia and that the crimes it had committed left them with no choice except a security one.
Daash militants grabbed hold of large parts of the Yarmouk camp 10 days ago after two years of tight blockade imposed by the Syrian regime army.
A Palestinian man guards a post in the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus, on April 6, 2015
A top Fatah official on Friday called upon party members in Lebanon and Syria to arm themselves to fight the Islamic State group which has recently seized the Damascus-area Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk.
Major-General Tawfiq al-Tirawi told Ma'an that "the suffering of Palestinians in the Yarmouk refugee camp should be ended, and they should be protected from terrorist groups like IS, al-Nusra Front and others."
He called upon Palestinian fighters in Syria and Lebanon to head to the Yarmouk refugee camp to fight these groups.
Al-Tirawi said that Palestinian refugee camps are neutral in the Syrian internal conflict but that some "terrorist groups" are attempting to push Palestinians into ongoing events.
Al-Tirawi's call for mobilization is one of the first major calls by a Palestinian leader for an armed response to aggression against the Palestinian refugee camps in Syria. Palestinians have generally struggled to maintain their neutrality in what they consider an "internal" conflict.
Before the conflict broke out in 2011, around 500,000 Palestinians lived in Syria, descendants of those who were expelled from their homes by Israel in 1948 and forbidden from returning.
Palestinian refugee camps have been the scene of intense fighting in the past, and Yarmouk refugee camp in particular has been repeatedly besieged by pro- and anti-government forces, leading to mass starvation at times.
On Wednesday, however, after a period of relative calm albeit continued deprivation, IS militants began an assault on Yarmouk. They were initially repelled by Palestinian fighters but have since seized large swathes of the district.
Until that point, fighters from Hamas offshoot, Aknaf Bayt al-Maqdes had been defending the camp from Syrian government forces as well as opposition forces, but al-Nusra Front and IS -- who are at odds elsewhere in Syria -- reportedly joined together for the assault, despite earlier al-Nusra promises to respect the camp's authorities.
Activists said that IS has taken control over 90 percent of the Yarmouk refugee camp, putting the lives of 18,000 civilians in danger.
Aknaf Bayt al-Maqdes fighters have continued defending the camp along with civilian fighters, but they have been almost completely overwhelmed by the IS onslaught.
Partnership with Syrian army
Al-Tirawi's remarks come one day after a group of 14 Palestinian factions said Thursday they backed a joint military operation with the Syrian government to expel IS from the camp.
During a meeting in Damascus, PLO official Ahmed Majdalani said the factions support "a security solution that will be carried out in partnership with the Syrian state and will have as its priority maintaining the security of citizens," he said.
"We agreed that there would be permanent cooperation with the Syrian leadership and the formation of a joint operations room with Syrian government forces and the Palestinian factions that have a significant presence in the camp or around it."
Majdalani added that Palestinian forces would work in an "integrated" fashion "with the Syrian state to clear the camp of terrorists."
It was unclear at the time whether that position was shared by the Palestinian fighters on the ground inside the camp.
A top Fatah official on Friday called upon party members in Lebanon and Syria to arm themselves to fight the Islamic State group which has recently seized the Damascus-area Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk.
Major-General Tawfiq al-Tirawi told Ma'an that "the suffering of Palestinians in the Yarmouk refugee camp should be ended, and they should be protected from terrorist groups like IS, al-Nusra Front and others."
He called upon Palestinian fighters in Syria and Lebanon to head to the Yarmouk refugee camp to fight these groups.
Al-Tirawi said that Palestinian refugee camps are neutral in the Syrian internal conflict but that some "terrorist groups" are attempting to push Palestinians into ongoing events.
Al-Tirawi's call for mobilization is one of the first major calls by a Palestinian leader for an armed response to aggression against the Palestinian refugee camps in Syria. Palestinians have generally struggled to maintain their neutrality in what they consider an "internal" conflict.
Before the conflict broke out in 2011, around 500,000 Palestinians lived in Syria, descendants of those who were expelled from their homes by Israel in 1948 and forbidden from returning.
Palestinian refugee camps have been the scene of intense fighting in the past, and Yarmouk refugee camp in particular has been repeatedly besieged by pro- and anti-government forces, leading to mass starvation at times.
On Wednesday, however, after a period of relative calm albeit continued deprivation, IS militants began an assault on Yarmouk. They were initially repelled by Palestinian fighters but have since seized large swathes of the district.
Until that point, fighters from Hamas offshoot, Aknaf Bayt al-Maqdes had been defending the camp from Syrian government forces as well as opposition forces, but al-Nusra Front and IS -- who are at odds elsewhere in Syria -- reportedly joined together for the assault, despite earlier al-Nusra promises to respect the camp's authorities.
Activists said that IS has taken control over 90 percent of the Yarmouk refugee camp, putting the lives of 18,000 civilians in danger.
Aknaf Bayt al-Maqdes fighters have continued defending the camp along with civilian fighters, but they have been almost completely overwhelmed by the IS onslaught.
Partnership with Syrian army
Al-Tirawi's remarks come one day after a group of 14 Palestinian factions said Thursday they backed a joint military operation with the Syrian government to expel IS from the camp.
During a meeting in Damascus, PLO official Ahmed Majdalani said the factions support "a security solution that will be carried out in partnership with the Syrian state and will have as its priority maintaining the security of citizens," he said.
"We agreed that there would be permanent cooperation with the Syrian leadership and the formation of a joint operations room with Syrian government forces and the Palestinian factions that have a significant presence in the camp or around it."
Majdalani added that Palestinian forces would work in an "integrated" fashion "with the Syrian state to clear the camp of terrorists."
It was unclear at the time whether that position was shared by the Palestinian fighters on the ground inside the camp.
The Yarmouk camp for Palestinian refugees in southern Damascus is "the deepest circle of hell" in Syria's four-year conflict, the U.N. secretary-general said Thursday.
Ban Ki-moon told reporters at UN headquarters in New York that the refugee camp became like a death trap for its 18,000 residents.
"We simply cannot stand by and watch a massacre unfold," Ki-moon said.
The UN chief reiterated his belief that the Syrian crisis can only be solved via a political solution and never a military one.
Daash terrorists controlled most of the Yarmouk camp over the past week after more than two years of a merciless siege imposed by the Syrian regime.
Ban Ki-moon told reporters at UN headquarters in New York that the refugee camp became like a death trap for its 18,000 residents.
"We simply cannot stand by and watch a massacre unfold," Ki-moon said.
The UN chief reiterated his belief that the Syrian crisis can only be solved via a political solution and never a military one.
Daash terrorists controlled most of the Yarmouk camp over the past week after more than two years of a merciless siege imposed by the Syrian regime.
Syrian helicopters on Thursday launched aerial attacks with explosive barrels on Palestine Hospital in al-Yarmouk refugee camp south of Damascus.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that Palestine hospital sustained considerable damage after it was targeted with two barrel bombs, with no reported casualties.
Local activists reported that al-Rijeh area in the camp was struck by a missile fired by the regime forces. The attack resulted in some casualties.
On April 1 2015, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) launched an attack on the Yarmouk camp seemingly in alliance with al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra.
After ISIS militants took over several areas in the camp, random mortar attacks reportedly resulted in the death and injury of dozens of people.
Some 20,000 civilians remain besieged in Yarmouk that used to be home for nearly 200,000 Palestinian refugees after 185,000 people were forced to flee from the ongoing clashes.
For almost two years, the camp has come under tight siege imposed by Syrian governmental forces backed by allied militias, which resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that Palestine hospital sustained considerable damage after it was targeted with two barrel bombs, with no reported casualties.
Local activists reported that al-Rijeh area in the camp was struck by a missile fired by the regime forces. The attack resulted in some casualties.
On April 1 2015, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) launched an attack on the Yarmouk camp seemingly in alliance with al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra.
After ISIS militants took over several areas in the camp, random mortar attacks reportedly resulted in the death and injury of dozens of people.
Some 20,000 civilians remain besieged in Yarmouk that used to be home for nearly 200,000 Palestinian refugees after 185,000 people were forced to flee from the ongoing clashes.
For almost two years, the camp has come under tight siege imposed by Syrian governmental forces backed by allied militias, which resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis.
