Who benefits from destabilizing Jordan’s security?

Who benefits from destabilizing Jordan’s security?
People protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, near the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan. (File/Reuters)
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Updated 02 April 2024
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Who benefits from destabilizing Jordan’s security?

Who benefits from destabilizing Jordan’s security?
  • Riyadh stresses that Amman’s security is a ‘red line’

RIYADH: As Jordan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi ups demands for the UN Security Council to adopt a binding Chapter VII resolution that would force Israel to stop “the war crimes being committed in Gaza and reverse its decision to close border crossings to humanitarian aid,” protests are intensifying in front of the Israeli Embassy in Amman.

This comes amid security measures aimed at preventing the escalation of the protests, with a Jordanian politician describing them as “not innocent.”

The country’s Public Security Directorate announced on Sunday that “a security force arrested a number of rioters in the region of Baqa’a after they were caught rioting, vandalizing, setting fires and throwing rocks at passing vehicles on the public road.”

The statement added that the PSD “dealt with some protests and gatherings that took place in some areas of the capital. The security personnel, who were present at the scene to maintain security and order, dealt with the protesters with the utmost discipline and professionalism. This is what the Public Security personnel have been working on for many months, during which thousands of citizens took to the streets and none of them was denied the right to express his or her opinion.”

The PSD added: “Last night and during the nights preceding it, these protests witnessed violations, insults and attempts to attack Public Security personnel, who were called completely unacceptable names.” There were “also vandalism attempts, attacks on both public and private properties, and sit-ins in the middle of roads, which prevented cars from driving on them. These violations were committed by men and women who, for days, deliberately confronted Public Security personnel.”

Calls for chaos

Since the middle of last week, the area close to the Israeli Embassy in the Al-Rabiah district has been the site of protests, drawing tens of thousands of participants. In addition, “internal and external” media platforms and social media accounts urged people to join the demonstrations, which featured slogans in support of “Hamas” and the “Al-Qassam Brigades.” There were also recordings played of these groups’ leaders “calling on the people of Jordan to act.” This was in contrast to the protests that took place in the initial days of the war, and despite Jordan’s intensified diplomatic efforts aimed at securing an immediate ceasefire and allowing the entry of humanitarian aid and relief.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, a Jordanian source accused “the leaders of the Islamic Movement in Amman of coordinating with Hamas leaders abroad to drag the Jordanian public into the war in Gaza and broaden the scope of tensions around occupied Palestine. What is happening warrants official reviews, given the nature and scale of the available information about external communications and calls urging the Jordanian public to escalate against its government.”

Saudi Arabia’s emphasis on Jordan’s security

A Saudi Arabia official confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom supports all measures being taken by Jordan to safeguard the nation’s  security and sovereignty in the face of those attempting to subvert the state. Jordan’s security remained an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s security due to the two countries’ shared history and geography. The official added that Riyadh would not allow any attempts to drag Jordan into the conflict, or turn it into an arena where the problems and issues of the region are played out.

The official added that the region cannot bear any new conflict, particularly in light of Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza and the attacks in the Red Sea. Furthermore, the attempts to drag Jordan into the quagmire of chaos and unrest do not serve Arab and international efforts aimed at ending conflicts in the region.

Iran, the Muslim Brotherhood and the return of chaos

Observers have warned that the chaos and violence in Jordan constitute a threat from Iran. One observer said this was “the prelude to a conspiracy led by the Muslim Brotherhood with clear Iranian goals to respread chaos in the region” and stressed that “both sides are taking advantage of the war in Gaza this time to mobilize the public against the king, army and government.” It was also noted that “those mobilizing the Jordanian public today are the same ones who harmed Jordan’s security and stability 54 years ago, but they are employing different tools.”

Two sides sharing common interests

Saudi Arabia political analyst Munif Al-Harbi pointed out that “it is no longer a secret that there are two sides that have interests in causing tensions in the region and establishing a new front: the (Muslim Brotherhood) and Iran. Their agendas converge today just like they did in the Arab Spring, and they worked to destabilize the Arab states. Since the beginning of the events in Gaza, we have seen that the leadership of (Hamas) is trying to mobilize the Jordanian public and drag Jordan into the war by any means. It seems that this approach aims to divert attention from the failure of (Hamas) and the mistakes it made, along with the public exposure of the resistance axis’ inability to defend the slogans it raised about fighting Israel.”

Jordan’s security integral to Saudi Arabia’s

Al-Harbi told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia “considers Jordan’s security and stability integral to its security and stability. I think that Saudi Arabia supports all of the measures that are being taken by the Jordanian leadership and government. The Saudi-Jordanian relations, especially between the countries’ leaderships, enjoy a special particularity.”

Al-Harbi added: “Given Saudi Arabia’s great religious, Arab, moral and political significance, the Kingdom is concerned with the principle of safeguarding Arab national security, including its interest in Jordan’s stability. We saw models of this Saudi concern in Kuwait in 1990, Bahrain in 2011, Egypt in 2015 and Yemen in 2015.”

Al-Harbi’s comments brings to mind the events during Ramadan 1439 A.H., corresponding to June 2018, when King Salman called for a summit to be held in Mekkah during the last 10 days of the month. This brought together the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait and the UAE, to provide Jordan with a $2.5 billion economic aid package.

Back then, King Abdullah thanked King Salman for taking the initiative and calling for the meeting, and also praised Kuwait and the UAE for accepting the invitation. He also expressed his deep appreciation to all three states for the aid package, “which will help Jordan overcome this crisis.”

During the “sedition” events that took place in the spring of 2021 in Jordan, Riyadh stood by Amman. King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told the Jordanian leadership that “the Kingdom stands in solidarity with Jordan and supports all the measures taken by King Abdullah to safeguard Jordan’s security and stability.” King Abdullah later expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s support when he received the Kingdom’s Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in August of the same year. In a statement issued by Jordan’s royal court King Abdullah thanked Saudi Arabia for supporting “the Kingdom of Jordan in the face of the different challenges, including the sedition attempt that Jordan thwarted in its infancy.”

Abdulaziz Sager, head of the Gulf Research Center, told Asharq Al-Awsat that “there is a deep and unique geographical and human connection between the occupied Palestinian territories and Jordan. Therefore, Jordan’s security and stability are essential for maintaining security in the Occupied Territories. It is in the interest of some sides to spread chaos and instability in the states surrounding the Palestinian territories, including Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon.

“Jordan, in particular, is of great significance and sensitivity, as, for the Israeli extremist ideology, it represents the alternative homeland, which Israeli extremist forces hope to target to facilitate the achievement of the goal of displacement and seizure of Palestinian lands. Destabilizing Jordan is in Israel’s interest due to Jordan’s current position, which firmly opposes Israeli plans.”

Sager added: “Some extremist Palestinian leaders, including some of Hamas’ leaders, unfortunately, are calling for instability in Jordan, driven by wrong, dangerous and short-sighted calculations. Saudi Arabia’s position is clear. It considers undermining Jordan’s stability and security a red line and rejects any attempt to spread chaos and carry out security coups in the Arab world under the pretext of supporting the resistance in Gaza.”

This is a translation of an article published on www.aawsat.com

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Bahraini national security advisor and UK military chief discuss defense cooperation

Bahraini national security advisor and UK military chief discuss defense cooperation
Updated 12 February 2025
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Bahraini national security advisor and UK military chief discuss defense cooperation

Bahraini national security advisor and UK military chief discuss defense cooperation
  • Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa highlights strong ties between the nations, especially defense and military cooperation
  • His talks with Adm. Tony Radakin, Britain’s chief of defense staff, cover long-term defense partnerships, regional security and stability, and counterterrorism efforts

LONDON: Bahrain’s national security advisor, Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, met Adm. Tony Radakin, the UK’s chief of defense staff in London on Wednesday.

They discussed ways in which military cooperation between their countries might be enhanced, and the importance of long-term defense partnerships in efforts to ensure regional security and stability, the Bahrain News Agency reported.

Sheikh Nasser highlighted the existing strong ties between Bahrain and the UK, especially in terms of defense and military cooperation. He and Radakin addressed regional security challenges, focusing in particular on counterterrorism cooperation and maritime security in the Arabian Gulf region, and the need for joint military exercises and the coordination of multinational operations.

They also discussed the enhancement of Gulf security through maritime and air alliances, and aerial defense collaboration, the news agency added.


Lebanon rejects further Israeli delay in withdrawing forces from southern areas

Lebanon rejects further Israeli delay in withdrawing forces from southern areas
Updated 12 February 2025
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Lebanon rejects further Israeli delay in withdrawing forces from southern areas

Lebanon rejects further Israeli delay in withdrawing forces from southern areas
  • Israeli army is asking to remain in some border areas until Feb. 28
  • Lebanon informs overseeing committee of firm rejection to request

BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday called on Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel to “ensure the EU countries pressure Israel to complete its withdrawal from the southern border area within the set deadline of the 18th of this month.”

Aoun said that “Lebanon supports the Arab Peace Initiative and rejects any proposals that would lead to any form of Palestinian displacement from their land or undermine their legitimate rights as enshrined in United Nations resolutions.”

Six days before the full withdrawal of Israeli forces that had advanced into southern Lebanon — following a 24-day extension of the withdrawal deadline, with US approval — the committee overseeing the monitoring of the ceasefire and the implementation of Resolution 1701 was informed that the Israeli army is asking to remain in some border areas until Feb. 28. Lebanon however, has informed the committee of its firm rejection of this request.

Morgan Ortagus, US deputy ambassador for the Middle East, is expected to return to Beirut on a second visit as part of her current mission to follow up on the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon on Feb. 18.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a recent meeting at the White House asked US President Donald Trump to delay the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Lebanon for a few weeks.

Additionally, he sought to maintain Israeli control over five key hills: Jabal Blat, Labouneh, Aziziyah, Awida, and Hamames.

Lebanon’s efforts to ensure Israel’s complete withdrawal from its territory by the specified deadline are accompanied by a proposal for UNIFIL forces to be stationed in coordination with the Lebanese army to take control of the said hills.

Maj. Gen. Hassan Ouda, acting chief of Lebanon's army, met Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lazaro, commander of UNIFIL, and their “discussions focused on the efforts being made to implement Resolution 1701,” according to an army statement.

The authorities in Lebanon are awaiting the Trump administration to fulfill its commitment regarding the scheduled withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Last week, Ortagus said in a statement from Beirut that her country “is dedicated to ensuring that Israel completes its withdrawal on the specified timeline.”

Meanwhile, Avichay Adraee, spokesperson for the Israeli military, issued an urgent warning on social media to the residents of southern Lebanon.

“The Israeli army remains deployed in the field following the extension of the agreement’s implementation period. Therefore, you are prohibited from moving south or returning to your homes in the areas in question until further notice. Anyone attempting to move south is at risk,” he posted.

On Wednesday, Israeli forces continued bombing border villages in the eastern and central Gaza Strip and set houses ablaze.

Additionally, Israeli forces carried out bulldozing operations on the outskirts of the town of Al-Dahira and used cranes to install concrete slabs at the technical fence of the Blue Line.

Also on Wednesday, a young man, identified as Khalil Fayyad, succumbed to gunshot wounds inflicted by Israeli forces on Jan. 26 in his hometown of Aitaroun during residents’ attempts to return to the town.


Egypt’s El-Sisi, Jordan king stress ‘unity’ of positions on Gaza: Egypt presidency

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II. (File/AFP)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II. (File/AFP)
Updated 59 min 39 sec ago
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Egypt’s El-Sisi, Jordan king stress ‘unity’ of positions on Gaza: Egypt presidency

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II. (File/AFP)
  • Leaders affirmed the “unity of the Egyptian and Jordanian positions,” on the reconstruction of Gaza Strip, “without displacing the Palestinian people”: Statement

CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II stressed Wednesday the “unity” of their countries’ positions on Gaza, a day after US President Donald Trump held talks with the Jordanian monarch in Washington.
“The two leaders affirmed the unity of the Egyptian and Jordanian positions,” on the reconstruction of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, “without displacing the Palestinian people from their land,” a statement from the Egyptian presidency read.
Another statement from the Jordanian royal court said that the two leaders stressed their “shared position” rejecting the forced displacement of Palestinians.
Both statements also referred to their willingness to “cooperate” with Trump to achieve “just and lasting peace” in the Middle East.
Egypt and Jordan have been at the forefront of a fierce Arab pushback against a Trump plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to the two countries.
Trump’s remarks have been coupled with a suggestion that he could “conceivably” halt aid to both countries if they refuse to take in Palestinians.
After his talks with Trump in Washington on Tuesday, King Abdullah II said that his country remains “steadfast” in its position against the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
“This is the unified Arab position,” Abdullah wrote on social media.
Egypt announced this week that it would host a summit of Arab nations later this month. It also said it would present a “comprehensive vision” for Gaza’s reconstruction in a way that ensures Palestinians remain on their land.
Egypt and Jordan, both key US allies, are heavily reliant on foreign aid and the US is considered one of their top donors.


124 journalists killed, most by Israel, in deadliest year for reporters

124 journalists killed, most by Israel, in deadliest year for reporters
Updated 12 February 2025
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124 journalists killed, most by Israel, in deadliest year for reporters

124 journalists killed, most by Israel, in deadliest year for reporters
  • Journalists murdered across 18 different countries in 2024, including Palestine, Sudan and Pakistan
  • Sudan and Pakistan record second-highest number of journalists and media workers killed, six each

NEW YORK: Last year was the deadliest for journalists in recent history, with at least 124 reporters killed — and Israel responsible for nearly 70 percent of that total, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported Wednesday.
The uptick in killings, which marks a 22 percent increase over 2023, reflects “surging levels of international conflict, political unrest and criminality worldwide,” the CPJ said.
It was the deadliest year for reporters and media workers since CPJ began keeping records more than three decades ago, with journalists murdered across 18 different countries, it said.
A total of 85 journalists died in the Israeli-Hamas war, “all at the hands of the Israeli military,” the CPJ said, adding that 82 of them were Palestinians.
Sudan and Pakistan recorded the second highest number of journalists and media workers killed, with six each.
In Mexico, which has a reputation as one of the most dangerous countries for reporters, five were killed, with CPJ reporting it had found “persistent flaws” in Mexico’s mechanisms for protecting journalists.
And in Haiti, where two reporters were murdered, widespread violence and political instability have sown so much chaos that “gangs now openly claim responsibility for journalist killings,” the report said.
Other deaths took place in countries such as Myanmar, Mozambique, India and Iraq.
“Today is the most dangerous time to be a journalist in CPJ’s history,” said the group’s CEO Jodie Ginsberg.
“The war in Gaza is unprecedented in its impact on journalists and demonstrates a major deterioration in global norms on protecting journalists,” she said.
CPJ, which has kept records on journalist killings since 1992, said that 24 of the reporters were deliberately killed because of their work in 2024.
Freelancers, the report said, were among the most vulnerable because of their lack of resources, and accounted for 43 of the killings in 2024.
The year 2025 is not looking more promising, with six journalists already killed in the first weeks of the year, CPJ said.


124 journalists killed, most by Israel, in deadliest year for reporters

124 journalists killed, most by Israel, in deadliest year for reporters
Updated 12 February 2025
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124 journalists killed, most by Israel, in deadliest year for reporters

124 journalists killed, most by Israel, in deadliest year for reporters
  • The uptick in killings marks a 22 percent increase over 2023
  • Journalists murdered across 18 different countries, including Palestine's Gaza, Sudan and Pakistan

NEW YORK: Last year was the deadliest for journalists in recent history, with at least 124 reporters killed — and Israel responsible for nearly 70 percent of that total, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported Wednesday.
The uptick in killings, which marks a 22 percent increase over 2023, reflects “surging levels of international conflict, political unrest and criminality worldwide,” the CPJ said.
It was the deadliest year for reporters and media workers since CPJ began keeping records more than three decades ago, with journalists murdered across 18 different countries, it said.
A total of 85 journalists died in the Israeli-Hamas war, “all at the hands of the Israeli military,” the CPJ said, adding that 82 of them were Palestinians.
Sudan and Pakistan recorded the second highest number of journalists and media workers killed, with six each.
In Mexico, which has a reputation as one of the most dangerous countries for reporters, five were killed, with CPJ reporting it had found “persistent flaws” in Mexico’s mechanisms for protecting journalists.
And in Haiti, where two reporters were murdered, widespread violence and political instability have sown so much chaos that “gangs now openly claim responsibility for journalist killings,” the report said.
Other deaths took place in countries such as Myanmar, Mozambique, India and Iraq.
“Today is the most dangerous time to be a journalist in CPJ’s history,” said the group’s CEO Jodie Ginsberg.
“The war in Gaza is unprecedented in its impact on journalists and demonstrates a major deterioration in global norms on protecting journalists,” she said.
CPJ, which has kept records on journalist killings since 1992, said that 24 of the reporters were deliberately killed because of their work in 2024.
Freelancers, the report said, were among the most vulnerable because of their lack of resources, and accounted for 43 of the killings in 2024.
The year 2025 is not looking more promising, with six journalists already killed in the first weeks of the year, CPJ said.