From Karak Church to Amman.. What Does Terrorism Want From Jordan?

Al-Taj News – By: Haneen Zbeideh

The matter is no longer merely passing security incidents, nor can what the Kingdom has witnessed over the past few days be treated as separate events with nothing connecting them; within just 13 days, Jordan has witnessed two serious terrorist incidents that brought the file of extremism and terrorism back to the forefront, raising serious questions about attempts to target internal security and stability in the Kingdom.

After the Hammoud church incident in Karak Governorate, which took place on Friday, October 23, targeting unarmed and innocent people and resulting in the martyrdom of nine individuals, the capital, Amman, woke up today, Thursday, to a new terrorist crime, but this time in the heart of the capital, specifically on Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Street, one of its most vital thoroughfares.

The crime did not occur late at night, or in an area far from public view; rather, it occurred around twelve-thirty in the afternoon, in broad daylight, in front of passersby, and on a street bustling with movement. A heartbreaking scene, whose details are difficult to comprehend, as a street Jordanians are accustomed to passing through and conducting their daily lives on turned into the scene of a crime targeting the life of a human being who was performing his duty to protect others.

The perpetrator initiated an attack on a Public Security personnel member, attempting to seize his weapon, before brandishing a bladed weapon and slitting his throat, causing the security officer to pass away as a martyr while performing his duty, while the perpetrator engaged in a clash with another security officer, which resulted in the officer’s injury and transfer to the hospital, whereas the attacker’s condition was described as critical.

Terrorism Does Not Distinguish Between Muslim and Christian.. Nor Between Civilian and Security Officer

Perhaps the most prominent point that must be paused upon in both incidents is that terrorism did not differentiate among its victims; in Karak, those targeted were innocent people inside a church, and in Amman, the target was a Public Security officer standing in the street performing his duty. The location differed, the identity of the victims differed, and the nature of the targeting differed, but the result is one: terrorism that knows no sanctity of blood, does not recognize a human’s right to life, and gives no weight to the value of the homeland, its security, and its stability.

Here, the scene must be read more broadly; when terrorist acts recur within a short period of time, transitioning from targeting unarmed civilians to targeting members of security agencies in the heart of the capital, it necessitates dealing with extremist threats with the highest degrees of seriousness and vigilance.

Talking about sleeper cells or individuals carrying terrorist ideology is no longer merely a theoretical security file; rather, what the Kingdom witnessed necessitates the monitoring of all indicators that might reveal attempts to carry out terrorist acts, whether targeting citizens, security personnel, or any segment of Jordanian society.

In the aftermath of the Karak incident, the Royal message was clear regarding dealing firmly with anyone who dares to tamper with Jordan’s security and stability, emphasizing that the state will not tolerate terrorism and terrorists, and that striking with an iron fist is the approach to confronting these threats.

Today, despite His Majesty King Abdullah II being on an official visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the security of Jordan and the safety of Jordanians remain at the forefront of his priorities; as His Majesty followed the developments related to the investigations into the terrorist attack that occurred in the heart of the capital, while his message came clear from Astana, affirming that Jordan will not show leniency in combating terrorism and extremism, and will not allow anyone to threaten the Kingdom’s security or harm its citizens. It is a message affirming that confronting terrorism is not a stance tied to a place or circumstance, but a steadfast approach from which there is no retreat, and that the security of Jordanians will remain a non-negotiable priority.

Jordan Is Not an Arena for Terrorism Projects

The most dangerous thing that holders of extremist ideology can seek is not only inflicting casualties, but attempting to spread fear and anxiety among Jordanians, sow discord among the components of society, and depict the state as though it faces a threat it cannot contain. But Jordan, which has overcome many regional challenges and difficult circumstances, will not allow these attempts to become reality.

For Jordanians, across their various origins, affiliations, and beliefs, stand in a single trench against terrorism; a crime targeting a church cannot divide them, nor can a crime targeting a security officer weaken their trust in the institutions of their state.

Targeting a Public Security officer is not merely an assault on an individual, but an assault on the institution that stands in the field to protect citizens, and on everyone who bears the responsibility of maintaining the security of this homeland. From here, the blood of the nation’s martyrs, whether civilians or from the ranks of the security agencies, will remain present in the conscience of Jordanians, and terrorist crimes will not be a cause for retreat or fear.

May God have mercy on the homeland’s martyrs in Karak, and have mercy on the martyr of duty in Amman, and grant them a place in His vast gardens, and grant the injured security officer a speedy recovery.

As for the message that must reach everyone who contemplates targeting Jordan, it is that this country is not an open arena for terrorism projects, and it never will be. Jordan is impervious to terrorism and terrorists, and its state, institutions, and society will not allow any entity whatsoever to tamper with its security or target its national unity.

From the Karak church to the streets of Amman, the message remains one: Jordanian blood is not permissible to shed, and Jordan’s security and stability are a red line.