Armed clashes broke out on Saturday evening between Fatah-affiliated gunmen and security forces from the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Balata refugee camp east of Nablus in the occupied West Bank.
Eyewitnesses told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that a large number of PA security forces were dispatched to areas near and at the entrances to the camp before engaging in clashes with gunmen.
They added that a heavy exchange of fire took place between the two sides around the camp where the PA forces also fired tear gas grenades intensively during the events.
There is still no information if people were injured during the armed skirmishes.
Earlier local armed young men blocked the main road near the camp and intercepted passing cars claiming their step was aimed at director of the military intelligence in Nablus Ahmed Abu Sharar.
One of the reasons behind the clashes in West Bank refugee camps is the conflict between Abbas and his arch rival Mohammed Dahlan the Fatah leader who Abbas dismissed in 2011 following personal disputes. Abbas accuses Dahlan of seeking to take his place as the PA chief.
