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AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Wednesday voiced the government's pride and appreciation for the General Intelligence Department, the Jordanian Armed Forces and the security agencies and their roles in defending the Kingdom against internal and external threats.

Speaking during a Cabinet meeting, Hassan stressed that protecting Jordan from conflict and sedition is a shared national duty, reiterating that loyalty must be to the Kingdom alone.

"When it comes to Jordan's security, we are all its soldiers and guardians. There is no place for loyalty to anything or anyone outside Jordan, or for militias that threaten its security and stability."

The prime minister also highlighted the Kingdom's strategic vision, which is based on a comprehensive modernisation project to ensure a more prosperous and resilient future.

Hassan's comments came shortly after his return from an official visit to the US. Reflecting on the trip, he said Jordan enjoys great respect and esteem in Washington and around the world, due to the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah.

"His Majesty is seen as a voice of wisdom and moderation, with a deep understanding of the region's challenges and the ways to address them," Hassan said.

Describing the visit as "constructive and fruitful", the prime minister said the meetings in Washington underscored the depth of the historic and strategic partnership between Jordan and the US, particularly in the economic and investment fields.

He cited to the US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, now more than two decades old, as a key pillar of this relationship, noting that it has significantly expanded trade and economic cooperation. “Jordan is eager to build on this momentum and expand the scope of cooperation.”

"There is a clear American commitment to supporting Jordan and recognising its pivotal role in the region," Hassan said. "We will continue our ongoing dialogue and partnership with our American counterparts to strengthen our mutual interests."

On regional issues, Hassan said his discussions in Washington focused primarily on the ongoing war in Gaza, adding he reiterated, during the talks, Jordan's position on the need for an immediate ceasefire, the unaltered delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged Strip, and efforts to support the Palestinians in remaining on their land.

Hassan added that the visit builds on the recent meeting between the King and US President Donald Trump, stressing that Jordan remains committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation in ways that advance mutual interests of both countries and promote regional stability.

AMMAN — The General Intelligence Department (GID) has recently announced the successful foiling of a plot aimed at undermining national security, inciting chaos, and committing acts of sabotage within the Kingdom. 

The announcement has sparked a wave of solidarity from institutions across the country.

Association of Banks in Jordan Chairman Basem Khalil Salem emphasised in a statement to The Jordan Times that national security is not just a slogan but a deep-rooted commitment and a pillar of Jordan’s identity.

“Our position is not situational, it stems from a deep belief that the security of Jordan is the essence of our existence, and upholding the rule of law is a red line,” Salem said, condemning any attempts to destabilise the country. He also reaffirmed the banking sector’s ongoing role in maintaining the Kingdom’s stability.

Echoing this sentiment, the HIMAM coalition of Jordanian civil society organisations expressed its full support for national security during the celebration of National Flag Day on April 16.

In a statement to The Jordan Times, HIMAM said its members take great pride in Jordan’s accomplishments and stand united in defence of the nation’s safety and stability, calling national security “an inviolable red line”. The coalition also underscored the importance of reinforcing national unity, ensuring fair judicial proceedings, and upholding the rule of law.

Labour unions also joined in expressing their solidarity. The Jordan Press Association also welcomed the GID’s announcement, commending the professionalism and coordinated efforts of Jordan’s security and military agencies in protecting the Kingdom’s sovereignty.

On social media, citizens across the country voiced their appreciation for the unity shown by Jordan’s security forces and national institutions, underscoring that safeguarding the Kingdom’s sovereignty remains a shared and unwavering priority.

AMMAN — Royal Committee for Jerusalem Affairs Secretary-General Abdullah Kanaan said on Wednesday that the issue of Palestinian prisoners symbolises the Palestinian people's suffering, with more than a million Palestinians having been arrested and imprisoned since 1967, according to a United Nations report.

He said in a statement to mark Palestinian Prisoners' Day that after more than 555 days of Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, over 10,000 prisoners, including those from occupied East Jerusalem, were held in Israeli prisons, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

"Prisoners are held in abysmal humanitarian and dangerous conditions, especially after "racist" legislation by far-right Israeli cabinet minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which was passed by the Knesset, under which more than 60 prisoners have died in Israeli jails since October 2023," he added.

The figure is a testimony of the brutality of the occupation authority, he said, adding that despite Israel's release of some prisoners, the deteriorating health conditions and signs of torture on their frail bodies is "a reiteration of the brutal colonialism that is in disregard of international laws and organizations and human rights and dignity."

On this occasion, he said, the Royal Committee for Jerusalem Affairs sends a message to international public opinion urging support for the Palestinian people, who are all prisoners living in dire conditions with accelerating Israeli violations and attacks in the full absence of international organisations that are engaged with other issues and conflicts.

He said the occupation authority is fighting international relief and human rights organisations in Palestine, including the closure and evacuation of UNRWA headquarters and denying human rights workers access to Israeli jails.

Kanaan said Jordan, the custodian of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, will remain a steadfast supporter of the Palestinians.

AMMAN — The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Jordan, in cooperation with Mu’tah University, on Wednesday celebrated the graduation of a group of “Climate Wise Women Agents” (CWWAs), who completed a six-month training programme on climate change adaptation.

The training is part of an agreement between FAO and Mu’tah University under the $33.25 million project, “Building Resilience to Cope with Climate Change in Jordan through Improving Water Use Efficiency in the Agriculture Sector” (BRCCJ). 

The project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by FAO in cooperation with the ministries of Water and Irrigation, Agriculture, Environment, and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), according to a FAO statement. 

The eight graduates, female agricultural engineers, are now certified trainers who will go on to empower 400 women across the governorates of Karak, Madaba, Tafileh, and Ma’an, enabling them to better adapt to the impacts of climate change, support their families, and promote sustainable development in their communities.

Speaking at the ceremony, FAO Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf said: “FAO is investing in women as drivers of change. One of our most important initiatives is the BRCCJ project, which includes establishing a cadre of 400 Climate Wise Women to promote climate resilience in vulnerable areas.”

He added that the eight newly certified agents are a major output of the FAO-Mu’tah agreement, which included developing a training manual and providing technical training to prepare the graduates for their role in scaling climate-smart practices.

Representing the university, Vice President for Scientific Colleges Affairs Ameen Aqel affirmed the university's commitment to community development. “The trained women will act as a core group to raise awareness and train 400 women,100 in each of the four targeted governorates, on climate adaptation strategies, particularly in agriculture and water resource management,” he said.

He also said, "The challenges posed by climate change require a strong national response, including the adoption of sustainable environmental policies, improving water resource management, and raising public awareness about the importance of climate adaptation." 

He pointed out that climate change has significant negative effects on the Kingdom due to its geographical location and the environmental conditions it faces, particularly water scarcity.

Director of the Prince Faisal Centre for Dead Sea, Energy, and Environmental Research Amjad Tarawneh also attended the ceremony.

The BRCCJ Project, with a fund at $33.25 million, targets four governorates in the Dead Sea Basin—Karak, Madaba, Tafileh, and Ma’an, which are particularly vulnerable to climate change and water scarcity resulting from shifting climate conditions.

The residents of these areas mainly rely on rain-fed agriculture, face high poverty rates, and lack adequate knowledge and resources to cope with climate change, the statement said.

Women,  as key agents of change in climate adaptation, are playing a central role in this project, aiming to improve women's accessibility to resources and information which will enable them to become more adaptive to climate change and safeguard their livelihoods.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan held separate meetings with senior US officials in Washington DC on Tuesday that focused on bilateral relations and ways to enhance them, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Hassan met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, with conversations focusing on enhancing economic and investment cooperation, Petra reported.

Rubio and Waltz both conveyed their strong appreciation for the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah and his consistent efforts to promote security and peace in the Middle East.

The meeting also went over regional developments with a focus on ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war in Gaza. Hassan reiterated Jordan’s “unwavering stance, under King Abdullah’s directives, that calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the unaltered delivery of humanitarian aid into the Strip, and de-escalation in the West Bank.”

In separate meetings with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer also present, the prime minister discussed ways to boost cooperation in trade, investment, technology, energy, the pharmaceutical industry, water management, and support for significant developmentalprojects, according to Petra. 

During the meeting, the prime minister outlined Kingdom's strategic goals under its Economic Modernisation Vision, specifically those related to boosting investment in major infrastructure projects such as the National Water Carrier.

The prime minster also held talks with White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought that focusedon the US assistance in supporting Jordan’s development agenda and helping to mitigate the challenges resulting from hosting refugees, according to Petra. 

The prime minister affirmed that the partnership with the United States remains a cornerstone of Jordan’s foreign policy, a strategic alliance aimed at achieving shared objectives on both bilateral and international fronts.

The meetings were attended by Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan, and Jordan’s Ambassador to the United States Dina Kawar.

AMMAN — The Jordan TV on Tuesday night broadcast taped confessions of suspects involved in high-profile case the General Intelligence department (GID) unveiled on Tuesday. 

In the televised confessions, the suspects admitted to engaging in illegal activities that pose serious threat to national security, including the manufacturing of short-range missiles and drones as well as recruiting and training operatives and receiving funds from foreign sources.

The videos showed the eight key suspects, including three individuals at the centre of the missile manufacturing case, the key figure in the first recruitment case, two key suspects in a second recruitment operation, and two individuals involved in drone manufacturing case.

Rocket manufacturing case 

Abdullah Hisham Ahmad Abdel Rahman, born in 1989 and a civil engineering graduate of the Jordan University of Science and Technology, confessed to leading a covert operation to manufacture rocket components. He revealed that his association with the Muslim Brotherhood group began in 2002 through school and mosque activities.

According to his testimony, a Brotherhood figure identified as Ibrahim Moahmmed, currently on trial in the State Security Court, said he proposed the idea of manufacturing rockets in Jordan in 2021. Abdullah was tasked with overseeing the production of metal frames and recruited his relative, Muath Al Ghanem, to help.

The two travelled to Lebanon, where they met with someone overseeing the project. They underwent security screening and received technical training in manual machining. The workshops, hidden in the garage of a residential building, were equipped with lathes and run by experienced technicians.

Upon his return to Jordan, Abdullah began acquiring machinery and raw materials, including CNC (computer numerical control) machines, which he believed would improve precision. The equipment was imported with the help of his uncle, Mohsen Al Ghanem, who also facilitated the transfer of funds from abroad.

Abdullah established a warehouse in Zarqa and later purchased land in the Nuqayrah area to build a larger, more secure facility. He described efforts to camouflage the structure and enhance its security features, including doors made of concrete to blend in with the building's design.

Muath Ghanem, born in 1990 and also a civil engineer, confirmed his involvement. He recalled several trips to Lebanon and detailed their work in setting up workshops in Jordan, including the procurement of materials and technical equipment.

Mohsen Al Ghanem, born in 1972 and a construction materials dealer, admitted to delivering tens of thousands of dollars from abroad to Abdullah and helping to import the CNC machines. He acknowledged suspicions about the nature of the project, but continued to provide logistical support.

Recruitment cases

In the first recruitment case, Khader Abdulaziz confessed to illegally recruiting young people as part of the unlicensed Muslim Brotherhood. A longtime member since 1975, he is currently the head of the group's administrative office in Zarqa. He admitted to organising ideological and security training sessions.

In the second recruitment case, Marwan Hawamdeh, a senior Brotherhood member, confessed to recruiting Anas Abu Awad. After being introduced to foreign operatives during a trip abroad, Marwan invited Anas to join him, where they were tasked with recruiting Jordanians and coordinating secure communications via encrypted devices and Telegram.

Anas Abu Awad confirmed his role, describing how he was given encrypted tools, meeting points in Amman and Mecca, and training on "dead drop" locations, places where prohibited materials such as digital storage devices were to be hidden. He cited cemeteries in Shafa Badran and Umm Al Hiran as examples.

Drone development case

In the drone development case, suspects Ali Qassem and Abdulaziz Haroun admitted to initiating plans in late 2023 to build drones for undisclosed purposes. Along with co-conspirators Ahmad Khalifa and Abdullah Al Haddar, the group assigned roles based on technical expertise. Haroun, an aerospace engineer, was responsible for drone frames, while Khalifa handled electrical circuitry and programming.

Haroun said he researched drone materials and suggested reinforced cardboard, citing its previous use in the Ukraine conflict. The group tested glider models on private farmland and, after successful trials, considered building operational drones.

He also revealed intentions to obtain additional components through his father, who had contacts with arms dealers.