How did Syrian-backed PLO factions challenge Yasser Arafat’s leadership in the 1980s?

In the 1980s, Yasser Arafat’s leadership faced significant challenges from Syrian-backed factions within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), largely stemming from tensions between Arafat and Syrian President Hafiz al-Assad.12

Following the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon and Arafat’s subsequent relocation of his headquarters to Tunis, Syria sought to exploit internal rifts within the PLO. By supporting anti-Arafat rebels, Syria aimed to remove him from power and transform the PLO into a pro-Syrian organization. In 1983, when Arafat attempted to return to Lebanon, these Syrian-backed factions—supported by the Syrian army—besieged his forces and forced them out of the country.12

Despite these efforts to undermine his authority, the actions of Syria and the rebel factions ultimately backfired, as they bolstered support for Arafat among many Palestinians who favored maintaining the organization's autonomy. As the internal split eventually healed, Arafat was able to reassert his leadership over the PLO.21