Ahmed Jibril facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ahmed Jibril
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| أحمد جبريل | |
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| Born | April 1937 Yazur, Mandatory Palestine
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| Died | 7 July 2021 (aged 84) |
| Nationality | Palestinian |
| Children | Jihad Ahmed Jibril |
Ahmed Jibril (Arabic: أحمد جبريل; April 1937 – 7 July 2021) was a Palestinian leader. He founded and led a group called the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command (PFLP-GC).
During the Syrian civil war, Jibril supported the Syrian government. His group, the PFLP-GC, helped government forces. They fought against groups that opposed the government. After some fighting in Yarmouk Camp in Damascus, his group had to leave. Jibril also left the city.
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Early Life and Beginnings
Ahmed Jibril was born in April 1937. His birthplace was Yazur, a town near Jaffa in what was then Mandatory Palestine. His father was Palestinian and his mother was Syrian. Some reports say he was born in 1935 in Ramla.
In 1948, his family moved to Syria, where he grew up. He studied at the Homs Military Academy. From 1956 to 1958, he served in the Syrian army. He became a captain before leaving the army.
In 1959, he started his own group called the Palestinian Liberation Front. From 1965, he worked with Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian National Liberation Movement. In 1967, he joined George Habash to create the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. This group combined ideas of Arab nationalism with leftist beliefs.
Forming His Own Group
In 1968, Jibril left the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. He had disagreements with George Habash about their political ideas. Jibril then formed a new group. It was called the "Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command" (PFLP-GC). This group was supported by Syria.
Jibril always believed that Palestine could only become free through military action. He joined other groups that did not want to negotiate with the Israeli government. He was known for planning different kinds of attacks. One famous event was the "Night of the Gliders" on November 25, 1987.
His Role as a Leader
The PFLP-GC, led by Jibril, focused on military training and equipment. They were less focused on public statements. Because of this, the group did not get much public attention. After the Oslo Accords in 1994, fewer Palestinians supported the PFLP-GC.
On May 7, 2001, the Israeli Navy stopped a Palestinian boat. It was carrying many weapons in the port of Haifa. It is thought that Jibril was behind this shipment of weapons. They were meant for the Gaza Strip.
During the Syrian civil war, the PFLP-GC helped the Syrian Army. They fought against Syrian rebels in and around Yarmouk Camp. This area in Damascus is home to many Palestinian refugees. Some members of Jibril's group disagreed with this alliance. They resigned in protest.
By December 17, 2012, the rebels, including some Palestinians, took control of Yarmouk. Jibril left Damascus. He reportedly went to the city of Tartous. Other Palestinian groups criticized Jibril and the PFLP-GC. On December 18, the Palestinian National Council (PNC) spoke out against Jibril. They said they would remove him because of his role in the conflict.
In a TV interview on February 17, 2017, Jibril said he hoped the Iranian military would support a future Palestinian war against Israel.
Personal Life
Ahmed Jibril's son was Jihad Ahmed Jibril. He led the PFLP-GC's military part. He was expected to take over from his father as leader. However, he was killed by a car bomb in Beirut on May 20, 2002.
Ahmed Jibril passed away on July 7, 2021, in Damascus, Syria. He died from heart failure. His funeral was held at the Al-Othman Mosque in Damascus. His coffin was covered with the Palestinian flag. He was buried in the Martyrs Cemetery of the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp.
See also
- Jibril Agreement
- Kiryat Shmona massacre
