Palestinian refugees in Damascus join Syrian rebels

A number of Palestinian refugees living in Damascus have joined the uprising in Syria with some taking up arms alongside rebel Free Syrian Army fighters.

A number of Palestinian refugees living in Damascus have joined the uprising in Syria with some taking up arms alongside rebel Free Syrian Army fighters. Most of the refugees joining the anti-regime revolt are not affiliated to traditional Palestinian factions, according to activists.

“Many of us — especially the youth — are in sympathy with the revolution, and now that the fighting is in Damascus, we cannot stay put,” a Palestinian from Yarmuk refugee camp, on the outskirts of the capital, told AFP.

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An activist, Abu al-Sakan, said sympathy for the uprising has grown among Palestinians, especially as more and more Syrians displaced from Homs, Daraa and Hama in the provinces seek refuge in or around the refugee camps in Damascus.

With fighting raging in nearby Tadamon, Al-Midan and Al-Hajar Al-Aswad districts, civilians have sought shelter since last week in Yarmuk camp.

Demonstrations in the camp have become common. Last Friday Palestinians and Syrians took part in a protest that started from mosques in the area.