PA OPERATION BEGINS IN JENIN: PASF WELCOMED BY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 000753 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2018 TAGS: KWBG PINS IS PGOV PTER SUBJECT: PA OPERATION BEGINS IN JENIN: PASF WELCOMED BY LOCALS, ARREST 23 WANTED CRIMINALS REF: JERUSALEM 744 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. A 485-man force of Presidential Guards (PG),National Security Forces (NSF) and police entered Jenin early May 2. PM Salam Fayyad visited Jenin May 4 with the NSF and police commanders and directed local security officers to be "firm in enforcing the law without discrimination." The NSF and police report taking 23 wanted criminals into custody and seizing 5 stolen or unregistered cars in initial patrols in central Jenin and Jenin Refugee Camp. The IDF has not entered the Jenin area since the May 2 deployment or imposed time/geographic limitations on the PASF, but the NSF reports IDF restrictions on protective equipment. End summary. Nearly 500 PG/NSF/Police Deploy Jenin; 23 Arrested or Surrender in Initial Ops -------------- ¶2. (C) In early May 2 convoys from Jericho and Ramallah, about 320 PG, 100 NSF soldiers and 65 public order police entered Jenin carrying PA flags, opening "Operation Smile and Hope." NSF commander MG Thiab Ali (Abu al-Fatah) told POL FSN that PA security commanders revised the force composition until the day prior to deployment and decided to send a larger PG contingent than originally planned (led by LtCol Nidal Abu Dukhan under NSF tactical command),since this group had just completed USG training in Jordan and had the fewest family connections in Jenin. MG Ali said the force includes 100 NSF soldiers from Alami Camp in Jericho and about 65 public order police, who will reinforce local police efforts and help execute arrests. Ali said the NSF have divided Jenin Governorate into 5 sectors with units assigned for each. ¶3. (C) PA police report taking 23 wanted criminals into custody in Jenin city and Jenin refugee camp on May 4, with most of those arrested voluntarily surrendering in response to public announcements that those who hand themselves in this week will have their cases dealt with expeditiously and have their voluntary surrender considered by courts in meting out punishment. NSF contacts say checkpoints and initial patrols in central Jenin led to the seizure of 5 stolen or unregistered cars. NSF staff report that they issued media statements May 2-3 announcing the operation and highlighting its main objectives of enforcing law and order and "providing security to the Palestinian people to further their national goals of freedom and independence." Current Operations in Nearby Villages; Future Plans to Tackle Qabatiya -------------- ¶4. (C) May 5 operations focused on patrols into Burqin and al-Shuhada villages, southwest of Jenin. Police contacts report that 120 residents of Jenin and nearby villages arrived at Jenin's courthouse May 4-5 to settle legal disputes, close longstanding criminal/civil cases and respond to court summonses. Apart from a minor incident in eastern Jenin May 4 in which three gunmen fired weapons in the air and then fled, police/NSF contacts say there has been no armed opposition to security patrols, arrest operations or vehicle impoundments. ¶5. (C) NSF commander MG Ali told POL FSN May 4 that the NSF has deferred plans to enter Qabatiya (south of Jenin, population 24,000) for "a couple more days" to finish preparations for operations there. (Note: Qabatiya is a major PIJ stronghold, and many NSF officers consider it to be the biggest security challenge in Jenin Governorate. End note). Fayyad Visits Jenin with Security Chiefs; NSF/police Seek Increased Intel Support -------------- ¶6. (SBU) PM Fayyad visited Jenin May 4 and met with Governor Qaddura Musa, MG Ali, Jenin NSF commander BG Sulayman Imran, police chief MG Hazim ATTALLAH and Jenin police chief Col. Wasim al-Jayusi. Fayyad told local press that "The security plan's success in Jenin will facilitate security deployments throughout the homeland to achieve our people's objectives and aspirations and contribute to achievement of PA development and reconstruction projects, establishment of security and fulfillment of our just and legitimate rights." Fayyad urged security forces to restore residents' feeling of security and be "firm in enforcing the law without JERUSALEM 00000753 002 OF 002 discrimination." ¶7. (C) NSF and police contacts say MG Ali and MG ATTALLAH asked the Preventive Security (PSO) and General Intelligence directors in Jenin to supply lists of wanted militants and criminals and provide intelligence support to the PG, NSF and police. No IDF Operations in Jenin Since Deployment Began -------------- ¶8. (C) PA security contacts report that the IDF has not entered Jenin or its nearby towns/villages as of 1400 local. NSF staff say the IDF informed them that no/no PA forces are authorized to wear kevlar protective vests or helmets in Jenin, but fiberglass or plastic helmets (typical light riot gear) are permitted. They say the IDF has not/not imposed blanket time or geographic restrictions on PASF in Area A. WALLES