Jordan arrests 16 for ‘targeting national security’

Jordan’s intelligence service on Tuesday announced the arrests of 16 people for allegedly planning to target national security and sow “chaos,” state media reported.

“Jordan’s General Intelligence Department (GID) has foiled plans aimed at targeting national security, sowing chaos, and sabotaging within Jordan,” the Petra state news agency reported.

“The GID has detained 16 suspects after close intelligence monitoring since 2021,” it added.

It said the suspects were arrested for “manufacturing rockets using local tools as well as tools imported for illegal purposes, possession of explosives and firearms, concealing a rocket ready to be deployed, planning to manufacture drones, and recruiting and training operatives in Jordan as well as training them abroad.”

The case has been referred to the state security court, Petra added.

No other details were immediately available.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told his Jordanian counterpart on Tuesday that Beirut was ready to assist in any investigation regarding the foiled plot, after reports indicated that some of those arrested had received training in Lebanon.

“Prime Minister Salam stressed that Lebanon refuses to be a base or launching pad for any action that would threaten the security of any brotherly or friendly country,” a statement from the premier’s office said.

Jordan enjoys relative stability compared with other countries in the region, but has previously announced arrests on national security charges.

In May last year, security services thwarted an attempt by a foreign state-backed militia to smuggle arms to a cell inside the kingdom, an official said at the time.