Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, has ordered a crackdown on Ramallah militants who defied demands to lay down arms and violate peace-process with Israel.
Wednesday night, several gunmen from Abbas’s own ruling Fatah faction opened fire at his Ramallah compound when he was inside. They also damaged several restaurants and shops in the West Bank city.
"President Mahmoud Abbas has issued an order to prevent any security violations and harm to citizens’ property. Security units have been deployed to prevent further attacks," said President’s spokesman.
The latest developments may become a serious obstacle to the peace process that Abbas launched last month with Israel.