In brief
In a statement on national security, Jordan's intelligence department disclosed the arrests amidst rising tensions in the region.
The Jordanian security services announced the arrest of 16 individuals allegedly involved in a serious plot threatening the nation's security. The operation involved plans for weapons, explosives, and the manufacture and training of combatants in Jordan as well as abroad. This announcement highlights the unexpected security challenges faced by Jordan, often regarded as a bastion of stability in a violent region.The General Intelligence Department's statement raised eyebrows within a country long seen as an ally in fighting Islamist militants and mediating conflicts, particularly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. Within the Jordanian populace, which includes a sizable Palestinian demographic, there exists an undercurrent of discontent regarding the ongoing violence in Gaza. Jordan's support of Israel's defensive actions, particularly during an Iranian air attack the previous spring, has only added to this dissatisfaction.The intelligence services indicated that monitoring of the detained individuals had been ongoing since 2021, possibly referring to the attempted palace coup that year, in which King Abdullah II accused his half-brother, Hamzah, of conspiracy against the monarchy. This earlier incident led to a temporary house arrest for Prince Hamzah after the arrest of 14 other conspirators.The recent arrests are reported to be tied to plans for local missile production, as well as procurement of explosives and weapons. This new plot allegedly entailed the concealment of functional missiles, the potential manufacture of drones, and the recruitment and training of operatives both within Jordan and overseas. According to sources reported by Reuters, the arrests were linked to the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Jordan's strategic fight against Iranian efforts to provide arms to Palestinian militants operating from the West Bank has added to its challenges since the commencement of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
