Jordan Crushes Palestinian Forces, Ending 'Black September' War
King Hussein's army defeats PLO forces after bloody civil war, forcing Palestinian guerrillas to flee Jordan for Lebanon.
The Jordanian military has effectively crushed Palestinian guerrilla forces, ending a brutal civil war that Palestinians are calling “Black September.” The conflict leaves thousands dead and will force the PLO to relocate its operations to Lebanon.
King Hussein’s decision to move against the fedayeen came after the spectacular Dawson’s Field hijackings pushed Jordan to the brink. The Palestinian guerrillas had created a “state within a state,” controlling refugee camps and challenging royal authority.
Brutal Urban Warfare
The fighting, which began September 16, saw Jordanian tanks and artillery bombard Palestinian positions in Amman and northern Jordan. Refugee camps bore the brunt of the assault, with thousands of civilian casualties.
“They shelled us without mercy,” said Mahmoud Hassan, fleeing the Wahdat refugee camp. “We thought Jordan was our brother, but they treated us worse than the Israelis.”
Estimates suggest 3,000-5,000 Palestinians died, though exact figures remain disputed. The Jordanian army’s Bedouin units, loyal to the king, showed particular brutality in crushing Palestinian resistance.
Failed Syrian Intervention
Syria attempted to support the Palestinians by sending tanks across the border, but withdrew after Israel mobilized forces and the US moved the Sixth Fleet to the Eastern Mediterranean. This superpower involvement prevented the conflict from expanding regionally.
Yasser Arafat narrowly escaped capture several times, eventually fleeing to Egypt disguised as a Kuwaiti sheikh. His Fatah forces, along with other Palestinian groups, are negotiating safe passage to Lebanon.
Regional Repercussions
The Palestinian defeat in Jordan fundamentally alters the geography of Palestinian resistance:
- End of Jordan Base: The PLO loses its main operational base bordering Israel
- Lebanon Bound: Palestinian forces will relocate to Lebanon’s weak state
- Radicalization: The defeat spawns the “Black September” terrorist organization
- Arab Division: Inter-Arab unity shatters as Jordan fights Palestinians
Palestinian Bitterness
“We were betrayed by our Arab brothers,” declared George Habash, PFLP leader. “This massacre will not be forgotten. We will take our revenge.”
The events created lasting Palestinian bitterness toward Jordan, despite the kingdom hosting the largest Palestinian refugee population. Many Palestinians view “Black September” as a second catastrophe after 1948.
Strategic Implications
For Israel, Jordan’s action removes a significant security threat from its longest border. The Jordanian monarchy, despite Palestinian majority population, proves it will prioritize regime survival over Palestinian nationalism.
The PLO’s forced relocation to Lebanon, a fragmented state with weak institutions, sets the stage for that country’s destabilization. Palestinian guerrillas will likely rebuild their infrastructure among Lebanon’s Palestinian refugee camps.
As the smoke clears over Amman, the Palestinian revolution faces its gravest crisis. The dream of liberating Palestine from Jordan has ended in crushing defeat, forcing a strategic reassessment of the armed struggle’s future.