Fact Check: Zia Ul Haq, the future dictator of Pakistan, massacred thousands of Palestinians in Jordan

The Claim: "Zia Ul Haq, the future dictator of Pakistan, massacred thousands of Palestinians in Jordan"

Introduction

The assertion that Zia Ul Haq, who later became the military dictator of Pakistan, played a significant role in the massacre of thousands of Palestinians during the Black September conflict in Jordan in 1970 has emerged in various discussions and articles. This claim suggests that Zia's involvement was crucial in assisting King Hussein of Jordan in quelling the Palestinian uprising, resulting in a high death toll among Palestinians. The claim is controversial and requires careful examination of the historical context, the events of Black September, and the reliability of sources discussing Zia's involvement.

What We Know

1. Black September Overview: The Black September conflict refers to a series of violent events in Jordan in September 1970, where the Jordanian military clashed with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and other Palestinian factions. The conflict was marked by significant violence and resulted in a substantial number of casualties among Palestinians. Estimates of Palestinian deaths vary widely, from around 3,000 to as many as 25,000, depending on the source 2358.

2. Zia Ul Haq's Role: At the time of the conflict, Zia Ul Haq was a Brigadier in the Pakistani Army and was stationed in Jordan. Reports indicate that he assisted the Jordanian military in training and operational planning against the PLO 69. However, the extent of his direct involvement in the killings remains debated.

3. Geopolitical Context: The conflict was influenced by broader geopolitical dynamics, including U.S. and Israeli interests in the region. The Jordanian monarchy faced a significant threat from the PLO, which had established a strong presence within Jordan, leading to fears of a potential coup 12.

4. Casualty Estimates: Different sources provide varying estimates of Palestinian casualties during Black September. While some reports suggest a death toll of around 10,000 to 25,000 35, others cite lower figures, indicating that the actual number remains uncertain and contested 8.

Analysis

The claim regarding Zia Ul Haq's involvement in the massacre of Palestinians during Black September is supported by several sources, but it is essential to critically evaluate these sources for credibility and potential bias.

1. Source Reliability:

   • Academic and Historical Sources: The CIA's report on Black September provides a historical overview but does not specifically address Zia's role in the violence 1. Wikipedia offers a general summary but lacks detailed citations for the claims about Zia 2.
   • News Articles: The Indian Express and India Today articles assert that Zia played a significant role in the conflict, citing high casualty figures. However, these articles may have a nationalistic bias, as they are published in Indian media, which could influence their portrayal of Pakistani figures 35.
   • YouTube Videos and Blogs: Sources such as YouTube videos and blogs may provide anecdotal evidence but lack rigorous fact-checking and are often subjective in nature 410. They should be approached with caution.

2. Conflicting Accounts: The discrepancies in casualty figures and the nature of Zia's involvement highlight the complexity of the historical narrative. Some sources emphasize his military training role without directly linking him to the orders for mass killings 69. This ambiguity raises questions about the methodology used to assess his involvement.

3. Potential Conflicts of Interest: Given the political contexts of the sources, particularly those from Indian media, there may be an agenda to portray Zia negatively due to historical tensions between India and Pakistan. This could affect the objectivity of the reporting.

4. Methodological Concerns: The lack of primary sources or eyewitness accounts in many of the articles raises concerns about the reliability of the claims regarding Zia's direct involvement in the killings. More comprehensive historical research, including declassified documents or testimonies from individuals involved, would provide a clearer picture.

Conclusion

Verdict: Unverified

The claim that Zia Ul Haq was directly responsible for the massacre of thousands of Palestinians during the Black September conflict remains unverified. While there is some evidence suggesting that Zia played a role in assisting the Jordanian military, the extent of his involvement in the killings is unclear and debated among historians. The casualty estimates vary significantly, with sources reporting figures ranging from 3,000 to 25,000, which complicates the narrative further.

The ambiguity surrounding Zia's direct orders or actions during the conflict, combined with the potential biases of various sources, contributes to the uncertainty of this claim. Additionally, the lack of primary sources or firsthand accounts limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions about his involvement.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information presented and consider the complexities of historical narratives, especially when they involve politically charged events. The evidence available does not conclusively support the claim, and thus it remains unverified.

Sources

1. Fifty Years after “Black September” in Jordan. CIA. Link
2. Black September - Wikipedia. Link
3. When Pakistan's Zia-ul-Haq helped Jordan King kill ... Indian Express. Link
4. How Pakistan's Zia-ul-Haq helped Jordan king massacre ... YouTube. Link
5. How Pakistan's Zia-ul-Haq helped Jordan king massacre ... India Today. Link
6. Black September: When Pakistani army killed 25,000 Palestinians. Sanskriti Magazine. Link
7. Black September | Organization, Attacks, & Facts. Britannica. Link
8. When Pakistan's Brigadier Zia-ul-Haq Led Military ... Dissent Today. Link
9. Pakistan helped Jordan in massacring Palestinians during ... OpIndia. Link
10. BlackSeptember. YouTube. Link