Traffic police officers return to Maan streets

AMMAN — Traffic police officers have returned to the streets of Maan, some 220km south of the capital, after a long period of absence due to security developments witnessed in the governorate.

Central Traffic Department (CTD) Director Col. Yaser Harahsheh was quoted by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, as saying Tuesday that traffic police have been working in Maan over the past few days offering services to motorists and pedestrians and enforcing the law.

He added that the CTD has also provided Maan traffic department with the necessary equipment in addition to increasing the number of staff to be able to perform its duties there, according to Petra. 

Harahsheh called on Maan residents to cooperate with traffic police officers to enhance public safety by adhering to the law and regulations.

Over the past few days, the situation in Maan has been reported to be going back to normal after a period that witnessed clashes between security agencies and local residents during operations in May and June to arrest wanted suspects.

The security incidents in the southern governorate were among several reasons that led to changes in the top three security posts in the Kingdom, with interior minister Hussein Majali submitting his resignation and the directors of the PSD and the Gendarmerie Department at the time Gen. Tawfiq Tawalbeh and Maj. Gen. Ahmad Sweilmin being referred to retirement.

A wanted suspect from Maan turned himself in to authorities on Sunday, following a meeting between Interior Minister Salameh Hammad and tribal leaders from the southern governorate.

Two wanted men died in Maan last month during a raid carried out by security forces to capture four outlaws.

Interior Ministry Spokesperson Ziad Zu’bi said at the time that the security operation targeted four outlaws wanted for several crimes, “who instilled fear among people and fired at public buildings”. 

The four wanted men, including three brothers, were classified as “highly dangerous”.

The issue of the outlaws has been in the news for months. They were the remaining wanted suspects from a group of 19. The rest have turned themselves in to authorities with the mediation of Maan community leaders.