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Jordan Times
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
GID dismantles domestic missile production plan linked to outlawed group
AMMAN — Jordan TV on Tuesday aired an investigative report revealing new details about a covert cell that had been working since 2021 to manufacture missiles inside the Kingdom. The operation, described as a major national security threat, was dismantled by the General Intelligence Department (GID) in February 2025 following extensive surveillance and a covert sting operation. According to the report, the cell was motivated by what authorities termed a "dark ideological agenda" and comprised three primary suspects, all of whom were arrested. The group was led by Ibrahim Mohammad, identified as a member of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood organisation. Ibrahim was accused of initiating the missile production scheme and is currently on trial before the State Security Court in a separate case involving the transport and storage of approximately 30 kilogrammes of high explosives, including TNT, C4 and SEMTEX-H. The report also revealed that Ibrahim had arranged for two of the suspects, Abdullah Hisham and Muath Ghanem, to travel to Lebanon, where they reportedly received training and guidance from a senior operative. A third member, Mohsen Ghanem, was allegedly in charge of coordinating the transfer of funds from abroad. The cell established two main operational locations: a factory in Zarqa Governorate and a warehouse in Amman's Naqeera area. While some of the equipment was sourced locally, other critical machinery was smuggled into the country for illegal use, the report said. The Naqeera warehouse functioned as the group's central hub, housing raw materials, prototype components and missile parts. A hidden room concealed behind a reinforced concrete door led to an underground chamber specifically designed to store the weapons. During raids on the suspects' residences, authorities discovered cylindrical and conical metal components, along with other geometrically shaped items. According to technical experts cited in the report, when fully assembled, the parts formed short-range projectiles resembling Grad rockets. The prototypes lacked explosives, propulsion systems and fuses, but their estimated range was between 3 and 5 kilometres, posing a serious threat to domestic targets. Authorities believe the cell had the potential to manufacture up to 300 similar missiles using the recovered equipment. Security forces had reportedly kept the cell under close surveillance for an extended period and decided to move in once the suspects completed a prototype rocket, marking a critical escalation in the group's activities, the report said. The televised investigation included footage from the production and storage sites, the tools and machinery used, and excerpts from the suspects' video confessions, in which they recounted their activities both inside and outside the Kingdom.
Roya News
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Government issues statement after Jordan intelligence foils 'national security' plots
Government spokesperson Mohammad Momani 1 Jordan Government spokesperson Mohammad Momani delivered a press briefing Tuesday, offering some additional details after the General Intelligence Directorate (GID) announced foiling multiple plots intended to undermine national security and incite chaos and physical sabotage within the Kingdom. According to an official statement, the GID arrested 16 individuals involved in these plots, which had been under close and continuous surveillance since 2021. The uncovered plans reportedly involved the local manufacturing of rockets using both domestic tools and components imported for illicit purposes. Authorities also seized explosive materials, firearms, and a ready-to-use missile that had been concealed. Additional activities included a project to produce drones, as well as the recruitment and training of individuals within Jordan, some of whom were also sent abroad for further preparation. The GID confirmed that all related cases have been referred to the State Security Court for legal proceedings. 1 hour ago Jordan reveals details behind major destabilization plots 2 hours ago VIDEO - Confessions & details: Jordan thwarts plots targeting 'national security' 2 hours ago 'Dangerous Indicator': Momani says foiled plot involved missiles with 5km range and secret explosives Momani revealed alarming details about the foiled plot uncovered by Jordan's General Intelligence Directorate (GID), which has been under surveillance since 2021. Momani confirmed that the State Security Court's prosecutor general has approved the charges against the suspects and referred the case to trial. He emphasized the seriousness of the planned operations, calling it a significant threat to national security. According to Momani, the suspects had developed short-range missiles with a range of 3 to 5 kilometers — a development he described as a 'dangerous indicator.' The cell also possessed explosive materials, automatic weapons, and had hidden a missile ready for use. He said the various groups involved were operating separately but in coordination, across four distinct cases, each performing different roles to implement their plans. One of the cells had transported and stored highly explosive materials, including TNT, C4, and SEMTEX-H. Another group was working on a drone-manufacturing project, with four individuals receiving external support to develop unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The suspects also attempted to recruit and train individuals inside and outside the Kingdom. One of the cells constructed two storage facilities — one of which was fortified with concrete and equipped with secret locked rooms to store missiles. Momani said the group succeeded in producing the first prototype of a short-range missile. A televised report featuring confessions from one of the suspects will be aired soon, shedding light on the inner workings of the plot. 3 hours ago Momani: TV report to air featuring confession of plot suspect He announced that a televised report will soon be broadcast, featuring the confession of one of the individuals accused in the recently foiled plot. 3 hours ago Momani: Foiled plot dates back to 2021 Government Spokesperson and Minister of Government Communication Dr. Mohammad Al-Momani confirmed that the plot recently foiled by Jordan's General Intelligence Department has been officially referred to the State Security Court. He stressed the seriousness of the case, revealing that the covert activities had been underway since 2021 — making it a multi-year threat to national security. Momeni praised the intelligence agency's vigilance in tracking the plot over the past four years, saying it reflects Jordan's firm commitment to confronting any attempt to destabilize the country. 3 hours ago Jordan's Intelligence foils plots aimed at undermining national security Jordan's General Intelligence Directorate (GID) has thwarted multiple plots intended to undermine national security and incite chaos and physical sabotage within the Kingdom. According to an official statement, the GID arrested 16 individuals involved in these plots, which had been under close and continuous surveillance since 2021. The uncovered plans reportedly involved the local manufacturing of rockets using both domestic tools and components imported for illicit purposes. Authorities also seized explosive materials, firearms, and a ready-to-use missile that had been concealed. Additional activities included a project to produce drones, as well as the recruitment and training of individuals within Jordan, some of whom were also sent abroad for further preparation. The GID confirmed that all related cases have been referred to the State Security Court for legal proceedings.
Jordan Times
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
GID uncovers plots to ‘destabilise' Kingdom, dismantles four cells — minister
AMMAN — Minister of Government Communications Mohammad Momani on Tuesday said that the General Intelligence Department (GID) has foiled several coordinated plots to destabilise the Kingdom, arresting 16 suspects involved in efforts to manufacture missiles and drones, smuggle weapons and recruit operatives for militant activities. Speaking at a press briefing, Momani said the GID had uncovered and dismantled four major security cases after years of surveillance and investigation. "These were serious and deliberate attempts to harm Jordan's national security," Momani said. "Thanks to the vigilance of our intelligence services, all the elements involved were arrested and their plans neutralised." The minister detailed four separate cases involving several groups that have been operating since 2021. Among the most alarming findings were attempts to build short-range missiles with a range of 3 to 5 kilometres, construct drones and store large quantities of explosives, including TNT, C4 and SEMTEX-H. In the first case, authorities arrested four suspects between May and June 2023. Three were involved in transporting and storing high-grade explosives and automatic weapons smuggled in from abroad, while a fourth suspect was found hiding a fully assembled Katyusha rocket with a detonator in Marj Al Hamam area near Amman. The second case, uncovered in February 2025, involved a three-man cell involved in the production of rockets. The group set up two covert warehouses, one in Zarqa and another in Amman; the latter fortified with concrete and secret rooms. Investigators say the cell received funding and training from foreign sources and managed to produce a working prototype of a short-range missile. In a third case, four people allegedly developed drone technology with outside help. Members of the group travelled abroad to obtain technical expertise and built a prototype drone using raw materials, Momani said. The fourth case involved five people divided into two groups, some of whom had been trained overseas. The suspects were allegedly recruiting and preparing new members for illegal paramilitary activities. Momani , who is also the government spokesperson, said that all suspects have been referred to the State Security Court on charges under the Anti-Terrorism Law. The charges were approved by the Prosecutor General of the Court following the completion of official investigations. Momani assured the public that there was no cause for alarm, stressing that all elements of the plots had been intercepted before they could be carried out. Highlighting that evidence to be made public, he said that a television report prepared by the Jordanian authorities will be broadcast tonight, including footage of the rocket production sites and the tools used by the suspects. Video confessions from those involved in the missile, drone and recruitment conspiracies will also be broadcast during the 8pm news bulletin on the Jordan TV, he added. Momani described the revelations as "just a glimpse" of the security services' wider efforts to address complex threats. "The actions of our intelligence personnel have once again ensured the security and stability of the kingdom," he said. In response to a question during the press briefing, Momani revealed that the suspects involved in the foiled plots are affiliated with a political organisation that is both unlicensed and officially dissolved under Jordanian law. "The Jordanian public will hear directly from the suspects in the video confessions that will be released," Momani said, referring to the footage that will be broadcast as part of the government's disclosure of the case. Asked whether regional developments might have influenced the suspects' actions, he firmly rejected such interpretations. "Jordan has not and will not accept any justification for what happened," he said. "These acts took place on Jordanian soil and represent a direct threat to our national security and sovereignty." He added that the extensive planning involved - over four years - made it unlikely that the attacks were simply a response to a single regional event. "It is clear that these actions were part of a broader, ideological scheme rooted in a dark and structured agenda that is not linked to any specific incident," he said. Momani also pointed to the range of the rockets seized - between 3 and 5 kilometres - as further evidence that the attacks were aimed directly at Jordan. "This was a deliberate attempt to undermine Jordanian sovereignty," he stressed. "And under no circumstances will Jordan tolerate any attempt to jeopardise its national security."
