Between acquiescence, doubt. Damascus authorities arrest two Islamic Jihad leaders
As the Washington Post cited a US official as stating that Trump's representative in Brussels delivered to al-Shibani a list of eight confidence-building measures, including the release of a statement prohibiting all Palestinian political activities and factions, in a scene observers view as "a farce," Damascus authorities detained two senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement's military wing.
Damascus authorities arrested two senior leaders of al-Quds Brigades, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, according to statements by the Al-Quds Brigades and a Syrian official.
Al-Quds Brigades said in a statement that "Khaled Khaled, the movement's official in Syria, and Yasser al-Zafari, head of its organizational committee, were detained by Damascus authorities for five days." The paper said the two men were detained "without clarifying the reason for their arrest, and in a manner we did not expect to find from our brothers," and called for their "release."
An official at the Ministry of Interior in Damascus has confirmed the detention of the two leaders of the movement without giving a reason for the arrest. A Palestinian source in Damascus has also confirmed the report.
The Washington Post quoted a US official as saying that the envoy of US President Donald Trump handed over to the Damascus-based Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shibani, in Brussels a list of eight confidence-building measures, including issuing a statement banning all Palestinian political activity and factions.
The newspaper, quoting the unnamed US official, said the list includes a call to Damascus to deport members of Palestinian factions to alleviate Israeli concerns.
Observers believe that this may be a "act" on the part of the Damascus regime to show that it will capitulate to the dictated conditions in an effort to consolidate power.
T/S
ANHA
