Jordan - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

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Jordan

April 5, 2025

Amman 4:00 am

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Israeli incursion into southern Syria kills 6 as Jordan condemns: What we know

At least six people were killed by Israeli shelling in southern Syria’s Koya, per Syrian authorities.

A picture taken during a tour organized by the Jordanian Army shows soldiers patrolling along the border with Syria to prevent trafficking, on Feb. 17, 2022.

Four accused smugglers killed on Jordan-Syria border: What we know

Jordan’s border forces killed four drug smugglers attempting to cross from Syria, seizing weapons and narcotics in the latest crackdown on smuggling along the border.

King Abdullah and Sharaa

Jordan’s king hosts Sharaa amid Israeli escalation in Syria

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Jordan on Wednesday, his third foreign visit since taking office, while Israeli airstrikes targeted military positions in Syria.

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Jordanian King Abdullah II as he departs the White House, Washington, DC, Feb. 11, 2025.

Analysis

As Trump’s aid freeze tests Jordan’s economic stability, can Gulf and China offer lifeline?

The tensions created by the American president pressing Jordan to accept forcibly displaced Palestinians could lead Amman to boost ties with US rival China, Europe and others.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

Analysis

Jordan’s dependence on US foreign aid puts king in bind

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Trump backs off aid threat to Jordan but insists on Gaza takeover

President Donald Trump and Jordan's King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein shake hands during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, on Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington.

Analysis

As Jordan's king arrives in US, Trump's Gaza plan sparks alarm at home

President Donald Trump shakes hands with King Abdullah II during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on June 25, 2018 in Washington, DC.

Aaron Magid

Turkey, Jordan, Iraq to hold first anti-ISIS summit this month: Turkish official

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) speaks during a joint press conference with Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (R), Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 22, 2023.

Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Hanna Davis

In Beirut, reporting on politics, migration, human rights

Lyse Mauvais

In Amman, reporting on humanitarian crises

Palestinians inspect the damage to buildings after Israeli bombardment in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on April 29, 2024 amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Pressure builds for Gaza cease-fire as Israel readies to invade Rafah

As US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pushed for a cease-fire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to launch a Rafah incursion "with or without a deal.”

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia ramps up regional diplomacy to avert Iran-Israel war

Saudi Arabia has reiterated calls for calm in the region amid rising tensions in the wake of the Iranian attack on Israel this week.

The Wadi Mujib river in Jordan.

Analysis

Why Israel is likely to accept Jordan’s request for more water

Experts estimate it is in Israel’s national interest to accept Jordan's request to extend the water supply agreement.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A picture taken during a tour organized by the Jordanian army shows soldiers patrolling along the border with Syria to prevent drug trafficking, Feb. 17, 2022.

Jordan arrests dozens in crackdown against drug smuggling from Syria

Dozens of people were arrested inside Jordan, as the kingdom ramps up efforts to fight drug smuggling attempts mainly on the border with Syria.

King of Jordan Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and US President Joe Biden pose for a photo after the king's arrival on the North Portico of the White House on Feb. 12, 2024, in Washington.

'We oppose any forced displacement of Palestinians,' Biden tells king of Jordan

King Abdullah met with Biden to discuss aid to Gaza, efforts to reach a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, and related issues ahead of a looming Israeli offensive.

US President Joe Biden meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan in the Oval Office of the White House on July 19, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Jordan's King Abdullah set to meet Biden as Gaza tests ties

King Abdullah II must balance Jordan's dependence on the United States with public anger over US support for Israel's war in Gaza.

People wave Palestinian and Jordanian flags as they march during a demonstration near the US Embassy in solidarity with the people of Gaza, Amman, Jordan, Dec. 15, 2023.

Pro-Palestinian activists in Jordan face arrest, harassment by authorities

Human Rights Watch documented the arrest of several people who took part in pro-Palestinian protests in Jordan and condemned the use of a controversial cybercrime law.

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne chairs a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on the Middle East, including the situation in Gaza and Israel on Jan. 23, 2024, in New York City.

France's new FM Sejourne makes first visit to Egypt, Lebanon, Israel & Jordan

French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné is set to visit the Middle East, meeting with almost all the parties involved in the Gaza war, except Qatar.

ISMAILIA, EGYPT - JANUARY 10: A ship transits the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea on January 10, 2024 in Ismailia, Egypt. In the wake of Israel's war on Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Houthi rebels in Yemen pledged disruption on all ships destined for Israel through the Red Sea's Suez Canal. The disruption on world trade is evident in the number of companies using this container ship route - a 90 per cent decline compared to figures one year ago. (Photo by Sayed Hassan/Getty Images)

Red Sea attacks push global firms to seek overland shipping alternatives

An Israeli company is sending goods overland from the United Arab Emirates through Saudi Arabia and other firms are looking at different arrangements as US strikes fail to deter Houthi attacks.

US soldiers participate in the annual military exercises known as "Eager Lion", near Maan some 200 kilometres south of the capital Amman on May 17, 2017.

Breaking | Last Updated: January 29, 2024, 4:45 pm

3 US troops killed, 25 wounded in Iran-backed drone attack in Jordan

President Joe Biden has vowed to respond after US troops were killed by a suspected Iran-backed militia for first time since Israel's war in Gaza began.

KHALIL MAZRAAWI/afp/AFP via Getty Images

As Captagon war heats up, Jordan escalates airstrikes in Syria

Jordan has clashed with and struck alleged drug smugglers several times in recent weeks as the Captagon trade continues to thrive the region.

11/17/2023 Amman, Jordan. Hundreds of demonstrators carry placards and Palestinian flags during a solidarity protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza, in downtown Amman, Jordan, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. Jordanians called for an immediate withdrawal of American military bases from Jordan as Israel raids Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza. (Photo by Annie Sakkab / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by ANNIE SAKKAB/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

In Jordan, Gaza rage turns to US as Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood make gains

As Hamas' popularity soars in Jordan, its ally the Muslim Brotherhood is also gaining political traction.

Hanna Davis

In Beirut, reporting on politics, migration, human rights