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Middle East Eye
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Jordan targeting Gaza solidarity in largest arrest campaign in decades
Over the past two months, Jordan's intelligence agency has detained and interrogated hundreds of people who have shown solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, in what is the largest arrest campaign to have taken place in the kingdom in decades. According to information obtained by Middle East Eye from multiple sources in Jordan, a widespread campaign led by the General Intelligence Department (GID) is targeting activists and anyone who has sent financial donations or other kinds of support to the victims of Israel's war on Gaza. One detainee, who spoke to MEE on condition of anonymity, said: 'The investigation was done purely for the sake of Israel. Jordan had nothing to do with it.' A Jordanian political source, who also requested anonymity for security reasons, said that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were two other forces driving the arrest campaign, with Jordan hoping to get financial aid from Riyadh and Abu Dhabi in return. Those targeted are being arrested and interrogated without legal charges being brought against them. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters According to multiple detainees, most of arrested are interrogated and then released without anyone knowing what has happened to them. Intelligence officers have, the sources said, threatened those they arrest and told them not to say anything about what has happened to them. They are told that if they do reveal anything, they will be re-arrested. According to those arrested who spoke to MEE, the intelligence officers also told them not to say that their disappearance was due to their arrest. Aside from the hundreds of people who have been arrested, others are told to voluntarily report for interrogation in daylight hours. At the end of the day, they are told to report back again the next day, with the process often continuing for several days. According to multiple sources, most, if not all, of the detainees were interrogated about their solidarity with Gaza. The investigations focused on sending donations, financial support or in-kind aid to the war's victims in the Palestinian enclave. Largest crackdown in decades An arrest campaign of this size has not occurred in Jordan since the 'democratic transition' of 1989, when King Hussein ended the state of emergency, which the government had used as a pretext for committing human rights violations, including extrajudicial arrests. Alongside this new wave of arrests, there is a growing sense of anger among the Jordanian public. Hundreds of detainees are being held in intelligence prisons without access to the outside world, lawyers or trial. Behind each detainee is a family, and sometimes a large tribe, upset about the disappearance of their loved one and the lack of information about them. Why did Jordan ban the Muslim Brotherhood? Read More » Last week, tribesmen from the city of Tafilah gathered and organised a sit-in near the intelligence headquarters in Amman to demand the release of 72-year-old Ahmed al-Zarqan, a former mayor of the southern Jordanian city. The event was unprecedented. Al-Zarqan is the deputy general supervisor of the Muslim Brotherhood, which was recently banned in the Hashemite kingdom. Security forces arrested him in late April. To date, Zarqan has not been charged, referred to court, or allowed to contact a lawyer. His family has not been allowed to visit him. Khaled al-Juhani, head of the Islamic Action Front bloc in the Jordanian parliament and another prominent political activist, was also arrested in April. In September, the Islamic Action Front received 32 percent of the votes in Jordan's parliamentary elections, winning 31 seats. Hamza Bani Issa, a political activist, was arrested months ago for participating in peaceful demonstrations in solidarity with Gaza. His eyesight was impacted after he was severely beaten on the head. His story only came to light after his mother, Arwa al-Tal, broke her silence, recording a video statement in which she said that what had happened to her son set a 'dangerous precedent'. She said her son had lost his sight following the assault by security forces and that he was subsequently accused of assaulting them. The 'armed group' making weapons for Palestine In May, as part of the same campaign of arrests, Hamza Khader, the head of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign in Jordan, was arrested. He was detained for several weeks and then released after intelligence officers asked him to remain silent and not reveal what happened to him during his detention. In a further sign of the widespread targeting of opposition groups and political Islam in Jordan – which the Jordanian political source said was instigated by the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel - Jamil Abu Bakr, the 74-year-old deputy secretary-general of the Islamic Action Front was also detained for 48 hours and subjected to prolonged interrogation before being released. Jordan targets organisations over alleged links to Muslim Brotherhood Read More » The campaign of arrests followed the announcement in mid-April by the GID of the arrest of an 'armed group' consisting of 16 individuals who were allegedly intending to provide support and assistance to Palestinian resistance groups in the occupied West Bank. According to the intelligence report, three of these 16 individuals had established an underground missile factory in the Jordanian city of Zarqa, while three others intended to manufacture military drones. This story quickly became a popular topic of conversation among Jordanians, although many remained unconvinced. The government was subsequently forced to issue a ban on publication or discussion of the case, whether in the media or on social media. Several social media accounts made fun of the idea that three young men had established a missile factory in Jordan. One wrote: 'This number is not enough to establish a popular cafe on the highway between Amman and Zarqa.' Others ridiculed the claim that three young men, including a university student in his twenties, were manufacturing drones for military purposes.
Jordan News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
King receives UK national security adviser - Jordan News
King receives UK national security adviser His Majesty King Abdullah II received the United Kingdom's National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell at Al Husseiniya Palace on Wednesday, according to a royal court statement. اضافة اعلان During the meeting, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, His Majesty emphasised the deep-rooted ties between Jordan and the UK, as well as readiness to enhance cooperation across various sectors, including defence. The King expressed Jordan's appreciation for the UK's role in promoting stability in the region, noting the importance of maintaining coordination between the two countries on issues of mutual concern. The meeting covered regional developments, with His Majesty stressing the need for the international community to step up efforts to immediately reinstate the ceasefire in Gaza, resume the flow of humanitarian aid, and support efforts to rebuild the Strip without displacing its residents. The meeting also touched on the current events in region in general, particularly in the West Bank and Syria. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, Jordan's Ambassador to the UK Manar Dabbas, General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Ahmad Husni, British Ambassador to Jordan Philip Hall, and the accompanying British delegation attended the meeting. Petra
Roya News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
King receives UK National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell
His Majesty King Abdullah II received the United Kingdom's National Security Advisor, Jonathan Powell, at Al Husseiniya Palace on Wednesday. During the meeting, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, His Majesty emphasised the deep-rooted ties between Jordan and the UK, as well as readiness to enhance cooperation across various sectors, including defence. The King expressed Jordan's appreciation for the UK's role in promoting stability in the region, noting the importance of maintaining coordination between the two countries on issues of mutual concern. The meeting covered regional developments, with His Majesty stressing the need for the international community to step up efforts to immediately reinstate the ceasefire in Gaza, resume the flow of humanitarian aid, and support efforts to rebuild the Strip without displacing its residents. The meeting also touched on current events in the region in general, particularly in the West Bank and Syria. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, Jordan's Ambassador to the UK Manar Dabbas, General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Ahmad Husni, British Ambassador to Jordan Philip Hall, and the accompanying British delegation attended the meeting.
Egypt Today
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Jordan bans Muslim Brotherhood, seizes group's offices and assets
CAIRO – 23 April 2025: Jordanian authorities have officially outlawed the Muslim Brotherhood group, which is designated by many Arab countries as terrorist, and seized its assets after allegations of links to a recent sabotage plot. Jordanian Interior Minister Mazen Fraya announced a ban on the group's activities and the confiscation of its assets and headquarters. He noted in a press conference that joining the Brotherhood is now prohibited by law. Fraya asserted the Muslim Brotherhood members have been proven to be engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing public order. He warned that anyone promoting the group's ideology will face legal consequences. 'Sabotage Plot' Last week, Jordan's authorities reported the arrest of 16 individuals suspected of planning attacks within the country using rockets and drones, thwarting a plot aimed at 'harming national security.' The General Intelligence Department said the suspects planned chaos and sabotage with their alleged plans involving the possession of explosives and automatic weapons. The plans also included the manufacture of rockets, the concealment of a ready-to-launch rocket, besides plans to develop drones and the training of individuals both domestically and abroad. State media reported that the suspects are believed to be affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. However, the Muslim Brotherhood has denied any connection to the alleged plots, insisting it had no knowledge of the activities. Communications Minister Mohammed al-Momani confirmed that all 16 suspects have been referred to the State Security Court on charges related to violations of the Anti-Terrorism law.
Al Bawaba
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Jordan bans activities of Muslim Brotherhood, considers it illegal association
ALBAWABA - Jordanian Minister of Interior Mazin Al-Farrayeh announced a ban on the activities of the so-called Muslim Brotherhood, designating it an illegal organization. The Minister also said in a press conference that any activity by the group, regardless of its nature, is considered a violation of the law and subject to legal accountability. "Membership in the so-called dissolved Muslim Brotherhood is prohibited," Al-Farrayeh added. Nonetheless, Jordan decided to close down all offices or headquarters used by the group, or even linked to them indirectly. The minister further warned that legal and necessary action will be taken against any individual or entity proven to be involved in criminal acts related to the declared cases or the dissolved group. The Minister explained that on the same night, the Jordanian security forces announced foiling a terror attempt against the country last week, the dissolved group attempted to smuggle and destroy large quantities of documents from its headquarters to conceal its suspicious activities and connections. The Minister of Interior also revealed that later, after the announcement of the cases targeting national security last week, the Jordanian forces also foiled an operation to manufacture and test explosives was uncovered by one of the sons of the dissolved group's leaders and others who intended to target security forces and sensitive sites within the Kingdom. Last week, Jordan confirmed the arrest of 16 suspects over plots to carry out attacks inside the country involving rockets and drones. In an official statement shared via the Jordanian government's X account, the General Intelligence Department confirmed that the suspects were involved in a series of security-related activities, which had been under close surveillance since 2021.
