Jordan Thwarts Major Weapons Smuggling Attempt: Arrests of Brotherhood Members and Security Forces on High Alert

Jordanian security services have thwarted an attempt to smuggle weapons into the Kingdom, including missiles and explosives, sources confirmed yesterday. These weapons were sent by militias backed by a foreign country to an internal “sabotage cell” that included members of the banned “Brotherhood” group, who were subsequently arrested. The official Jordanian source revealed that the weapons were seized when the cell members, who were Jordanian nationals, were apprehended in late March.

In recent months, security services have prevented numerous attempts to smuggle weapons into Jordan, including Claymore mines, C4 explosives, Semtex, Kalashnikov rifles, and 107mm Katyusha rockets. Reports indicated that Jordan thwarted a plot to smuggle weapons led by militias to carry out terrorist and sabotage activities. These weapons were allegedly sent by Syrian factions to a cell associated with the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, with ties to the military wing of Hamas. However, Hamas has denied any involvement in actions targeting Jordan and claimed to stay out of the internal affairs of other countries.

International media reports also mentioned that some Brotherhood members were arrested in possession of weapons last March, with claims that individuals made mistakes. A prominent Brotherhood member stated that the arrested individuals were recruited by a Hamas leader orchestrating operations in the West Bank from Lebanon. These events have unfolded against a backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, prompting Jordan to bolster its security measures to counter potential threats.

Amidst these developments, the Jordanian government issued warnings against compromising the country’s sovereignty and security. It emphasized that it would not tolerate any attempts to incite public unrest or internal chaos. The Senate Speaker further cautioned against efforts to undermine Jordan’s fundamental values, referring to movements by the banned Brotherhood group under the guise of solidarity with Hamas. The Public Security Directorate had previously announced the arrest of rioters involved in acts of sabotage in the Baqaa camp area north of Amman.

The source stated that investigations are ongoing to uncover more information about these incidents.

It is worth noting that there are concerns among human rights groups about abuses committed by security forces during their operations against terrorism and insurgency-related activities.

Jordan has been at risk for years from terrorist groups operating from neighboring Syria and Iraq.

Jordan has been working closely with international allies such as Saudi Arabia and Israel