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AMMAN — While most visitors to the Amman Citadel head towards the well-known landmarks on the western side, such as the Temple of Hercules, the Jordan Archaeological Museum and the Umayyad Palace, few venture eastward. But that may soon change following a significant archaeological discovery.

Professor Zeidan Kafafi, a prominent Jordanian archaeologist, revealed that a previously overlooked section of the Citadel has yielded evidence of an ancient Ammonite structure.

"Nobody thinks to come to the eastern side of the Citadel because they don’t know about the important archaeological sites located there," Kafafi said.

The discovery was made inadvertently. A government plan to build a school on the eastern slope prompted preliminary excavations by a construction company. Work was immediately halted when workers recognised archaeological remains beneath the surface.

"When the idea of building a school was dropped, the Greater Amman Municipality decided instead to develop a public park in the area," Kafafi added.

What followed was a formal excavation initiated by Jordanian archaeologist Fawzi Zayadine, who invited an international team to investigate further. Their efforts uncovered remnants of an Ammonite structure, informally referred to as the “Ammonite Palace”.

Among the most intriguing finds were four double-faced stone heads and a mysterious glass ball, discovered within the ancient structure.

The project is a joint venture of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, the German Protestant Institute of Archaeology, German Archaeological Institute from Berlin and local experts like Professor Kafafi.

Now in its second year, the excavation is being led by Professor Catharina Schmidt of the University of Münster, as part of the Amman Archaeological Project. The team is exploring layers dating back to the Iron Age, as well as the Roman-Byzantine period.

Recent finds include fragments of ivory and alabaster, a partially burned object, and a sophisticated water channel system.

"There is no spring on the Citadel, so water had to be collected and redirected into a cistern through these channels," Schmidt explained. However, the team has yet to locate the cistern itself.

Excavators plan to continue their work by uncovering Roman-era housing layers and gradually digging deeper in hopes of reaching more Iron Age levels.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs on Saturday held a farewell ceremony in the Al Jizah district's Al Hujjaj city, marking the departure of the first group of Jordanian pilgrims to perform Hajj (the greater Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca).

Jordan is sending 8,000 pilgrims this Hajj season, in addition to 4,500 Palestinians of 1948, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

A support mission consisting of religious guides, administrative staff, medical professionals and media personnel will accompany them to ensure their safety and well-being throughout the pilgrimage.

Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mohammad Khalayleh reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to ensuring a “smooth and spiritually fulfilling” pilgrimage for all Jordanian pilgrims. 

He announced that the ministry has developed a comprehensive plan covering transportation and accommodation in line with the “highest quality standards,” from the pilgrims' departure to their return.

Over the next two days, the ministry will coordinate with the relevant authorities to complete the departure of all pilgrims travelling by land via the Al Mudawarah border crossing. 

Pilgrims will first arrive in Medina before heading to Mecca, travelling on modern buses no older than 10 years for European models and five years for others. 

The vehicles will be inspected at three designated checkpoints, namely: Maan, Mudawarah and Tayma, by technicians from the traffic department, who will ensure that the vehicles are roadworthy.

As a precautionary measure, 15 reserve buses will accompany the pilgrim convoys to account for any unexpected issues.

AMMAN — Jordan’s energy sector has made “remarkable” progress over the past two decades, thanks to strategic investments and policy reforms aimed at achieving energy independence and sustainability.

Since His Majesty King Abdullah assumed his constitutional powers, the sector has received particular attention in order to enhance national energy security and reduce reliance on foreign sources, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

According to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, total investments in the energy sector between 1999 and 2023 amounted to around $10 billion, including $2.15 billion in renewable energy.

By the end of 2024, renewables accounted for 26.9 per cent of the electricity mix, up from just 0.5 per cent in 2014. The installed capacity of renewable energy projects connected to the grid reached 2,840 megawatts, including 2,194MW from solar power and 622MW from wind power.

Jordan’s electric grid has been interconnected with Egypt since 1999 and with Palestine since 2008. In 2023, a new link was completed between Jordan’s Risha station and Iraq’s Rutba station, marking a “significant” development in regional electricity exchange.

The Arab Gas Pipeline has facilitated gas imports from Egypt since 2004 and enabled exports to Syria and Lebanon since 2008.

Efforts to diversify energy sources have “significantly” expanded the Kingdom’s natural gas supply, the ministry said, noting that while Jordan relied solely on Egyptian gas in 2004, it now sources natural gas from four sources: Risheh gas field, Egyptian gas, LNG imports via Aqaba, and “northern gas”.

The petroleum market was liberalised in 2013, ending the Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company's monopoly. Since then, three companies have been granted licences to sell fuel products. 

To increase fuel storage capacity, the Jordan Oil Terminals Company (JOTC) was set up in 2015, resulting in “significant” growth in gasoline, diesel and LPG reserves.

As of 2024, the Kingdom's fuel reserves cover 60 days for gasoline and diesel and 38 days for LPG.

Highlighting increased domestic production, the ministry said that output from the Risheh gas field increased from 27 million cubic feet per day in 2000 to 32 million in 2022. 

Also, oil production at the Hamzeh field increased from 8 to 70 barrels per day between 2000 and the end of 2024. In 2022, the Kingdom launched its first direct oil shale-burning power plant, which contributed 15 per cent to electricity generation by 2024.

According to the ministry, green hydrogen is emerging as a “strategic” priority. In collaboration with international partners, the ministry has developed a national strategy and legal framework to attract investment. Thirteen companies have signed agreements to study the feasibility of green hydrogen projects.

In the mining sector, the Kingdom is expanding its exploration of copper, gold and rare minerals, while also promoting digital investment platforms, the ministry added.

Jordan’s energy strategy aims to increase the share of renewables to 31 per cent by 2030 and reduce carbon emissions by 10 per cent.

At the start of the millennium, Jordan was dependent on imports for 94 per cent of its energy needs, which spurred a shift towards renewable energy sources and local resources. By 2023, this figure had fallen to 76 per cent.

AMMAN — Authorities have arrested three juveniles involved in the desecration of national flags displayed on a bridge in Amman, according to a statement issued Saturday by the Public Security Directorate (PSD).

A special investigative team was formed after a widely circulated video showed two individuals vandalising flags on the bridge. A third suspect, who did not appear in the footage, was reportedly collecting the discarded flags from beneath the bridge with the intention of selling them, the PSD spokesperson said.

The PSD confirmed that all three suspects, who are Arab nationals, have been identified and taken into custody, noting that legal proceedings are now underway against them.

Condemning the incident, the spokesperson stressed that any attempt to deface or insult national symbols would be met with the strictest legal measures and that the authorities would continue to pursue and hold accountable anyone engaging in such behaviour.

AMMAN — As Jordan marks its 79th Independence Day on May 25, the celebrations are doing more than kindling patriotic pride; they are providing a significant boost to local economic activity across the Kingdom.

Businesses are bracing for a surge in consumer demand across all governorates, spurred by a packed schedule of parades, concerts, and cultural festivities. Retailers, restaurants, and tourism-related enterprises are already seeing an uptick in spending.

“People are going out and spending on food, gifts, and local crafts,” said Rania Bakir, owner of a chocolate and gift shop in Amman. “It’s a public holiday, so most businesses are offering themed packaging and Jordanian-made products to match the occasion.”

According to economist Jameel Manaseer, national holidays like Independence Day typically drive a 20 to 30 per cent increase in local spending, particularly in the hospitality and retail sectors. Hotels in tourist hotspots such as the Dead Sea and Petra are reporting higher occupancy rates, with special holiday packages attracting families and local travellers.

“This year feels stronger than the last,” said Mohammed Dmour, an employee at a local hotel. “We’re almost fully booked. People are eager to travel and celebrate within the country.”

Economists view these surges in activity as evidence of untapped potential in Jordan’s domestic economy. “Independence Day demonstrates how national pride can drive internal markets,” said economist Waseem Hussein. “With the right support mechanisms, small businesses can translate short-term gains into sustained growth.”

Street vendors are also capitalising on the festive atmosphere, setting up roadside stalls and roaming neighbourhoods to sell Jordanian flags, scarves, and patriotic merchandise.

As the Kingdom’s cities and towns fill with music, families, and national colours, Jordan’s 79th Independence Day stands not only as a moment of historical reflection but as a powerful reminder of the economic force of identity-driven, community-based commerce.

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld an October 2022 State Security Court (SSC) ruling sentencing a man to two years in prison after convicting him of possessing illegal narcotics in Amman in June 2023.

The court declared the defendant guilty of possessing illegal narcotics while in the street and handed him the maximum sentence.

The SSC also ordered him to pay JD1,000 in fines.

Court documents said the Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) learnt the defendant was in possession of illegal narcotics and placed him under surveillance.

“The AND agents arrested the defendant and found a variety of illegal narcotics, including Captagon pills and Hashish,” court documents said.

The defendant contested the SSC’s ruling through his lawyer, who argued that the court claimed that their legal errors were in the investigation procedures.

Meanwhile, the SSC prosecution office asked the higher court to uphold the sentence and the fine imposed on the defendant.

The higher court maintained that the SSC had followed the proper procedures in issuing the sentences against the defendant.

“It was clear to the court that the defendant confessed willingly to possessing the illegal drugs for personal use,” the higher court said.

Therefore, the higher court maintained that the defendant deserves the punishment he received.

The Cassation Court bench comprised judges Yassin Abdullat, Nayef Samarat, Hammad Ghzawi, Qassem Dughmi and Mohammad Khashashneh.