As a Palestinian, he joined the Jordanian Army in 1948 and rose to become commander of an artillery battalion in 1969.

[3] In October 1970, after the outbreak of Black September (also known as the Jordanian Civil War), he defected from the Jordanian Army and joined the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and relocated with most of the Palestinian Resistance groups to Lebanon.

[1] Muragha publicly complained over corrupt practices within the PLO, especially the promotion of political appointees loyal to Arafat to important military posts.

[1] He was also known for hardline views on Israel, and outspoken in his opposition to what he saw as Arafat's attempt to reach a negotiated solution to the conflict (see Rejectionist Front).

[1] With the backing of Syria, who opposed any negotiations with Israel, Muragha led his groups to drive Arafat's PLO from northern Lebanon.