Clashes erupt as Palestinian Authority forces battle Iran-backed militias in Samaria

Security forces of the Palestinian Authority (PA) began a major operation to re-establish control over the Jenin refugee camp in Samaria over the past weekend, killing a commander of Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s (PIJ) terror group's local branch during intense clashes.

Israeli and Palestinian media reported that two terrorists were killed, 14 wounded and several suspects were arrested as part of the operation dubbed “Defense of the Homeland.”

The killed included local PIJ commander Yazid Jaysa, who is said to have been wanted by both the PA and Israel.

#BREAKING Palestinian Authority’s security forces have begun an operation in Jenin refugee camp against armed factions to “restore order”, in a rare action against rival groups pic.twitter.com/ShrPD1xtLQ

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By Saturday evening, the PA’s security forces reportedly controlled four districts of the Jenin “camp,” one of many such dense, lawless urban centers that were once built to accommodate refugees, and today often are terror strongholds.

According to the Oslo Accords, the PA should exercise full security control over the major urban centers in Judea and Samaria.

However, in recent years, local armed groups and terror organizations have de-facto taken over several towns, especially those in northern Samaria, such as Jenin and Tulkarem, prompting an increasing number of large-scale Israeli raids to stamp out terror.

Clashes between the PA and local armed groups markedly increased over the past weeks.

Last week, “a group of outlaws opened fire on the headquarters of the security services” and stole two vehicles from them, Palestinian General Anwar Rajab stated.

The vehicles were later paraded through the streets, with gunmen waving PIJ flags. An Israeli military source told the Ma'ariv newspaper that this was a catalyst for the PA to move against the terrorists.

“So far they have avoided entering certain areas and allowed the gunmen to act as they wish, but this backfired on the PA and they decided to act,” he said.

On Saturday, Rajab said PA forces were able to thwart a disaster during their operation after stopping a “booby-trapped vehicle prepared by outlaws…the vehicle was supposed to be detonated among citizens and security personnel, as part of a cowardly criminal act that reflects an ISIS approach alien to our Palestinian values and morals, and contradicts the course of our national struggle.”

Despite this, local reports said the terrorists detonated several explosive charges against the security force and that there was a heavy exchange of fire between the two sides.

Earlier on Saturday, security forces reportedly encircled and seized two hospitals in Jenin where terrorists had barricaded themselves.

According to Army Radio, Israeli security has paid close attention to the deteriorating situation in the PA-controlled areas and even fears that the fall of the Assad regime could cause a “domino effect” by motivating Palestinians to rise against their dictator, PA President Mahmoud Abbas.

Israeli intelligence noted that there was a rise in incitement on social networks, as Hamas, in particular, has urged Palestinians to take to the streets.

In addition, the dramatic weakening of the regime’s proxy forces in the region caused Iran to act. The regime is among the most important backers of the terror groups in Samaria and has significantly ramped up its weapon smuggling in recent years.

“Judea and Samaria [are] marked as the next target of the Iranians, and they are trying to make every effort to destabilize the area,” wrote Doron Kadosh, military correspondent for Israel's Army Radio.

“[It is] worth noting that Iran is taking a key interest in the PA crackdown on PIJ in Jenin. Iranian state media is highlighting this because it wants to fan the flames against the PA. This is an important moment in the northern West Bank,” wrote Seth Frantzman, an adjunct fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

“We are following closely and with great vigilance what is happening,” a military source told Kadosh. “We fear unrest, rapid deterioration and a contagion effect like we saw in Syria. The collapse of the Palestinian Authority could lead to the outbreak of a wave of terrorism and a complete loss of stability in the area.”

After a security situation assessment this week, Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the IDF to increase preparations for the defense of Jewish settlements and important traffic axes to prepare for the possibility of terror attacks inspired by the rebel’s success in Syria.