Palestinian resistance brigades conduct joint military exercise in Gaza

MAY 7, 2017 12:10 P.M. (UPDATED: MAY 7, 2017 12:10 P.M.)

GAZA (Ma’an) -- The National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), conducted a joint exercise with the Abdel Qader al-Husseini Brigades, a group affiliated with Fatah’s al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, at a military training site in Gaza Strip on Sunday.

The maneuver was conducted to display new artillery and missile tactics, and to "affirm the unity of resistance brigades on the battle field against enemy," spokesperson for the National Resistance Brigades 'Abu Khalid' said in a statement.

"We are sending a message to the enemy that we remain persistent and are continuing preparations to follow in the footsteps of our martyrs on the path of resistance and struggle," Abu Khalid said.

He added that the National Resistance Brigades was determined to develop its military capabilities to protect the rights of the Palestinian people, and prisoners in particular, "in the face of the Israeli occupation’s aggression."

Abu Khalid also extended a greeting to the hundreds of Palestinian prisoners who entered the 21st day on a hunger strike in Israeli prisons on Sunday, and stressed the brigades’ support for the prisoners’ cause, vowing that it "would not hesitate to break them free through all available means."