Lawmakers condemn ‘terror plot', reaffirm Jordan's stability ‘non-negotiable'

Jordan Times

21-04-2025

Members of the Lower House on Monday stress Jordan's sovereignty and unity, underscoring that the Kingdom is governed by its Constitution, the rule of law, and a national, Arab, Islamic, and moral legacy (JT file)
- 'Jordanian unity woven by sacrifice, not slogans'
AMMAN — Members of the Lower House on Monday stressed Jordan's sovereignty and unity, underscoring that the Kingdom is governed by its Constitution, the rule of law, and a national, Arab, Islamic, and moral legacy.
In a parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Ahmad Safadi and attended by members of the government team, MPs delivered firm messages in support of national unity and the Hashemite leadership, emphasising that Jordan's stability is non-negotiable, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
'Jordan is not a playground for the reckless or the lawless,' the lawmakers said, warning against any attempt to undermine the country's security or disrupt its social fabric.
They also asserted that Jordanian unity is not rooted in slogans but in 'the sacrifices of martyrs, the dedication of soldiers, the dreams of mothers, and the struggles of fathers.'
'Anyone who thinks they can tamper with our national security is delusional,' they said. 'Jordanians, of all origins and backgrounds, stand united behind their Hashemite leadership.'
The session included a screening of video excerpts from speeches by His Majesty King Abdullah, which highlighted national principles and warned against individuals 'taking orders from abroad'. The footage also paid tribute to the Jordan Armed Forces–Arab Army (JAF) and Jordan's security agencies.
MPs expressed their full support for His Majesty King Abdullah, HRH Crown Prince Hussein, and the Kingdom's security agencies, particularly praising the General Intelligence Directorate for its role in thwarting a 'cowardly' terrorist plot aimed at destabilising the country and threatening civil peace, according to Petra.
The remarks followed the recent announcement by the General Intelligence Department (GID), which revealed that it had foiled a series of coordinated plots targeting Jordan's national security. The GID said that 16 suspects were arrested after close surveillance since 2021, involving attempts to manufacture rockets and drones, stockpile explosives and firearms, and recruit operatives for militant activities both locally and abroad.
At the time, Minister of Government Communications and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani described the efforts as part of four major security cases, all of which have been referred to the State Security Court. Among the most alarming discoveries were covert facilities in Amman and Zarqa used to assemble rockets and drones with external support. One suspect was found hiding a Katyusha rocket in a residential area near the capital.
Authorities also uncovered plans to store high-grade explosives such as TNT, C4 and SEMTEX-H. Investigations revealed that the suspects were affiliated with an unlicensed political organisation dissolved under Jordanian law.
'This was a deliberate attempt to undermine Jordanian sovereignty,' Momani said, emphasising that the plots had no justification and were rooted in ideological extremism. A televised report, including confessions and footage from the investigation, was later broadcast to inform the public.
The lawmakers also issued a strong condemnation of what they described as attempts to hijack the Palestinian cause for subversive agendas. 'True resistance does not mean dragging Jordan into chaos,' they said.
They also warned against populist tactics aimed at stirring unrest and manipulating public opinion, calling such efforts irresponsible and damaging to the national interest.
MPs demanded the disclosure of any foreign affiliations of political parties and called for the strict enforcement of the Political Parties Law and the Anti-Terrorism Law. They urged legal action against anyone found to have participated in, supported, justified, or facilitated the foiled terrorist plot.
They also stressed the importance of enforcing Article 127 of the Constitution, which confines the use of armed force to state institutions and prohibits the creation of any paramilitary groups outside that framework.
Lawmakers also called on political parties to pledge full loyalty to the Hashemite monarchy and Jordanian identity, insisting that all party funding, both financial and intellectual, must be free from foreign influence or interference.
Condemning the terrorist plot as 'a crime against national security,' they said Jordan's peace must be safeguarded at all costs. 'Loyalty to the leadership is the foundation of stability,' they noted, citing Islamic teachings that promote unity, prevent division and protect nations. They added that ensuring national security is a shared responsibility between the state and its citizens.
Lawmakers also said that the suspects behind the foiled terrorist plot were affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood and its political wing, citing confessions made by the accused.
They described such actions as a betrayal of the nation, aimed at targeting young minds, distorting Jordan's identity, and destabilising the country.
'This land is no place for mercenaries or chaos,' they declared. 'It belongs to those who have kept their oath and never betrayed the flag.'