In brief
Jordan's security services have thwarted plans that could destabilize the region as tensions rise with its Palestinian population.
The Jordanian General Intelligence Department reported the arrest of 16 individuals on charges of plotting a significant threat to national security, involving weapon manufacturing, explosives, and drone training both within and outside the kingdom. This unprecedented disclosure highlights a rare acknowledgment of security threats in Jordan, which is generally viewed as a bastion of stability amidst the chaos of the Middle East.King Abdullah II leads a country with a diverse population, nearly half of whom are of Palestinian descent. This demographic has been a source of tension, especially as the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Jordan’s controversial support for Israel during Israeli defense actions against Iranian attacks have fueled public discontent. Jordan has often played an essential role in countering Islamist extremism and mediating conflicts, especially in the Israeli-Palestinian sphere.The intelligence statement indicated that authorities had been monitoring the detained individuals since 2021, possibly alluding to a previous attempted palace coup where Prince Hamzah, the king’s younger brother, stood accused of conspiring against the monarchy with foreign support. However, there was no direct link established between the current arrests and that earlier incident.The new threats included aspirations to produce missiles locally and smuggle arms from abroad, revealing a sophisticated scheme that also involved the concealment of ready-to-use missiles and plans for drone production. Notably, these plots seem to have ties to Hamas as recent regional analyses suggest that Jordan has been actively working to counter Iranian weapon smuggling routes to Palestinian militia groups, particularly in light of the current hostilities in Gaza.
