Latest news with #PetraNews
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jordan wants stability in southern Syria but unclear if it's willing to help
The Jordanian spokesperson 'reiterated Jordan's support for the Syrian government's efforts to rebuild the country on foundations that guarantee its security, stability, unity, and sovereignty." The Kingdom of Jordan said it welcomed a ceasefire in the southern Syrian area of Suwayda after days of clashes between the Syrian government and the Druze minority. The clashes started when Druze fought with local Bedouin tribes. Jordan has a complex relationship with Syria. It wants stability, but it's unclear whether the Kingdom will do much to support that goal. The 'Jordanian foreign ministry welcomed Tuesday the ceasefire decision in the province of Sweida, southern Syria, affirming its support for the Syrian state in preserving its sovereignty,' Syria's state media noted. Jordanian state media Petra News noted that the foreign ministry's spokesperson, Ambassador Dr. Sufian Qudah, 'emphasized the need for calm, restraint, to prevent further bloodshed, enforce law and ensure that the Syrian state exercises full sovereignty over its territories.' SANA state media in Syria noted that the Jordanian spokesperson 'reiterated Jordan's support for the Syrian government's efforts to rebuild the country on foundations that guarantee its security, stability, unity, and sovereignty, while preserving the safety, rights, and security of all Syrians.' These are very general comments, indicating that Amman is reticent to say much about what is happening right across the border. It's important to understand the context here. Northern Jordan is populated by many people who have larger tribal connections to southern Syria. This is particularly true in Irbid, Ramtha, and other areas near Syria's Dara'a province. During the Syrian civil war, many hundreds of thousands of Syrians fled to Jordan. They were welcomed to some extent. Some ended up in large refugee camps such as Zaatari. When the Syrian regime pushed Syrian rebels out of Dara'a in 2018, there were calls for the refugees to go back. Some of them went back and then found themselves forcibly recruited to the army of the Syrian Assad regime. In December 2024, the Assad regime fell. Jordan had backed Syrian rebels linked to the southern front in Dara'a. The group that came to power in December 2024 was linked more to northern rebels in Idlib. As such, Jordan didn't know who would come to power in Damascus or if they could deal with the new rulers. Ahmed al-Shara'a has tried to smooth things over with Amman. However, Amman has a long history of suspicions with Syria. Back in 1918, Arab rebels sought to expand their control to Syria after the British-backed Arab revolt spread from Mecca to Jordan. The family of the rulers of Jordan briefly took Damascus before being pushed out to Iraq and back to Jordan. As such, Syria was suspicious of Jordan's ambitions. Later, Syria threatened Jordan in the 1970s. During the civil war, the Jordanians did intervene slightly by backing rebels, but after 2018, their main concern was Assad-backed drug traders destabilizing the Jordanian border. What comes next with the Syrian conflict Now Jordan wonders what comes next. The conflict in Suwadya is unlikely to spill over because there is no large Druze community in Jordan. If anything, the Jordanians likely back the Bedouin tribes who clashed with the Druze. However, Jordan doesn't want any radicalization. Jordan has also backed US troops and other western countries in the region. The US still has a role at Tanf in southern Syria near the Jordanian and Iraqi borders. The Tanf garrison of US forces supports the Syrian Free Army, a small group that now calls itself 'Division 70' of the Syrian army. Since June, the SFA hasn't appeared to do much, leading to questions about what its role is and what will happen to the Americans based at Tanf. Solve the daily Crossword
Arab News
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Jordanian army chief, US counterpart discuss military cooperation in Amman
LONDON: Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Jordan, met his US counterpart, Gen. Dan Caine, to discuss military cooperation and coordination between the armed forces of both countries during a meeting in Amman. The discussions addressed various operational, training and logistical aspects aimed at serving the strategic interests of both armies, according to the Petra news agency. Huneiti highlighted Jordan's strong and longstanding partnership with the US, praising the consistent support from Washington that enables the Jordanian armed forces to carry out their duties effectively amid various challenges. Caine expressed his appreciation for the vital role of the Jordanian armed forces in promoting security and stability throughout the region. He said that the US is committed to maintaining a close partnership with Amman. Senior Jordanian armed forces officers and the US defense attache in Amman attended the meeting.
Arab News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Jordanian king, Omani sultan discuss Iran-Israel conflict, call for peaceful dialogue
LONDON: Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman and King Abdullah II of Jordan discussed the Iran-Israel conflict and the serious repercussions of the escalation of tensions in the region. During a call on Monday, they stressed the need to intensify coordination to extinguish the fires of conflict in the Gaza Strip and the ongoing tensions resulting from Israeli actions against Iran, the Oman News Agency reported. They also called for peaceful dialogue and negotiation to find political solutions to regional issues that align with international law, ensuring security and stability, the ONA added. King Abdullah emphasized that peace in the region cannot be achieved without a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue based on a two-state solution, the Petra news agency reported. The Iran-Israel conflict has escalated following US strikes on three nuclear sites inside Iran on Sunday. Tel Aviv and Tehran have exchanged attacks over the past 11 days, risking a full-scale war in the Middle East.
Arab News
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Jordan reopens airspace to civilian aircraft
DUBAI: Jordan has reopened its airspace to civilian aircraft on Saturday, signaling belief there was no longer an immediate danger of further attacks after crossfire between Israel and Iran disrupted East-West travel through the Middle East. But the country 'is continuing to assess risks to civil aviation and monitor developments after Jordan's airspace was reopened this morning,' a statement from the civil aviation authority said, and reported by state-run Petra news. The Kingdom on Friday closed its airspace to all flights due to the barrage of missiles and rockets from Iran. The statement also said airlines would be provided with the 'necessary' information to notify passengers and stakeholders of the latest data on air traffic. Lebanon's government also temporarily reopened its airspace on Saturday. Lebanon reopened its airspace on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. (0700 GMT). The airspace will be shut again starting from 10:30 p.m. (1930 GMT) until 6:00 a.m. (0300 GMT) on Sunday, NNA reported, citing the Lebanese civil aviation authority.
Ammon
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Ammon
US Embassy in Jordan warns its citizens
Ammon News - The US Embassy in Jordan has warned its citizens in the Kingdom of the ongoing situation in the region, particularly the detection of missiles and drones flying over Jordanian airspace. The embassy warned its citizens to remain in safe areas until further notice, to stay indoors, and to avoid exposing themselves to falling debris. "Due to high tensions in the region, the security environment remains complex and can change quickly. We remind U.S. citizens of the continued need for caution and encourage them to monitor the news for breaking developments. The U.S. Embassy in Jordan will continue to review the situation and provide additional information as needed,' the Embassy said in its statement. Actions to Take: · Monitor local media, such as Roya News, Petra News and Jordan Times for information. · Contact your airline directly for flight change details if your flight is affected. · Be aware of your surroundings. · Remain vigilant for anything appearing out of the ordinary. · Contact the Jordanian police by dialing 911 if you are in immediate danger.
