What is the real story behind the events unfurling in the Damour and Naameh areas involving the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine–General Command (PFLP-GC)?
Since the late 1970s and up to this day, armed members of this Palestinian organization, loyal to the Moumanaa or “Resistance” axis, have been present in the area. They have dug extensive tunnels and seized large areas of land stretching from Damour to Naameh and reaching Baawerta (south of Beirut), preventing landowners from using or benefiting from these lands. These plots of land are essential for the security of the tunnels.
Throughout these years and despite the 2006 parliamentary decision that approved the disarmament of Palestinians outside the camps, the Lebanese government has not addressed this issue. The tunnels have remained as is, and the armed presence has continued unabated. From a military standpoint, the presence of these tunnels is deemed to have no strategic value, although some claim that they are used to store weapons and ammunition for other parties.
In this context, residents of towns along the Chouf coast, especially in Damour and Naameh, staunchly opposed this situation, insisting on the return of their properties. They called for the Lebanese army to intervene in the matter, which led to talks that started two and a half years ago with the PFLP-GC. Recently, an agreement was reached wherein these Palestinian militants agreed to release approximately 196,000 square meters of land. The Lebanese army has currently started operations to clear these areas of mines, explosives, rockets and unexploded artillery left from previous Israeli attacks on these locations.
Some sources of information have indicated that the army, in collaboration with the specialized mine-clearing organization MAG (Mines Advisory Group), has successfully cleared around 16,000 square meters. Efforts are ongoing to clear the reclaimed area completely and return the lands to their rightful owners.
Furthermore, the information suggests that the army will continue negotiations with the PFLP-GC to free up more lands and ultimately fully withdraw from the area, as these sites are deemed unnecessary. Currently, there are reportedly around 50 armed members stationed in the tunnels awaiting a final agreement regarding the organization’s presence in Lebanon.