The split had been provoked by the decision of the ALF to freeze its PLO membership in protest of the Oslo Accords, as per Iraqi policy.

The organization held its first conference inside Palestine on May 15-May 17, 1997, and eventually drifted closer to Fatah and the Palestinian National Authority, while the ALF remained staunchly loyal to Baghdad.

The PAF, a very minor faction within PNA politics, has verbally supported the 2000 uprising against the Israeli regime's occupation, but it is unclear whether it performed any actual military activity.

[1] PAF also took part in the 2006 legislative election with the list 'Freedom and Independence' (الحرية والاستقلال) in the national constituency.

[2] According to its own proclamations, PAF supports the right of Palestinian refugees "wishing to return to their homes [to] live at peace with their neighbours," in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution 194;[3] formation of an independent Palestinian state within the borders of 1967 with Jerusalem as its capital, releasing Palestinian hostages from the Israeli regime, dismantlement of the Israeli West Bank barrier; and evacuation of Israeli settlements from the West Bank.