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Jordan’s Public Institutions on Alert against Protests

Protesters raise their hands before members of the Gendarmerie and security forces during a demonstration outside the prime minister's office in Amman early Sunday (AFP photo by Khalil Mazraawi)
Protesters raise their hands before members of the Gendarmerie and security forces during a demonstration outside the prime minister's office in Amman early Sunday (AFP photo by Khalil Mazraawi)
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Jordan’s Public Institutions on Alert against Protests

Protesters raise their hands before members of the Gendarmerie and security forces during a demonstration outside the prime minister's office in Amman early Sunday (AFP photo by Khalil Mazraawi)
Protesters raise their hands before members of the Gendarmerie and security forces during a demonstration outside the prime minister's office in Amman early Sunday (AFP photo by Khalil Mazraawi)

Jordanian public institutions have gone on alert to contain mounting protests that kicked off four days ago over a new income tax draft-law and price hikes, as unions called for a general strike across the country next Wednesday.

King Abdullah II asked to meet with Prime Minister Hani Mulki at his office Monday to discuss the protests in Amman and other governorates.

After a meeting on Sunday, the Jordanian Senate sent to the King two suggestions on the matter: Ask the government to withdraw the draft, and to issue a royal decree for holding a special session of the Parliament on Monday during which deputies will re-send the bill to the Senate.

Senate Speaker Faisal al-Fayez called for a “comprehensive national dialogue” on the law.

He emphasized the importance of adopting the principle of collective participation of the Jordanian society within a national dialogue aimed at agreeing on a modern law that promotes the principles of transparency and equality.

The House members are expected to reject the amended income tax draft-law and forward it to the Senate, which would return the bill to the government as stipulated by the Constitution.

Sources predicted that the government would resign in the coming days.

Last month, the government proposed the law that is aimed at raising taxes on employees by at least five percent and on companies by 20 to 40 percent.

“The legislature made a recommendation to His Majesty King Abdullah to convene the Parliament for an extraordinary session to be held as soon as possible to bring an end to the income tax crisis,” Jordanian news agency Petra quoted Speaker of the House of Representatives Atef Tarawneh as saying following a meeting with Mulki and the Professional Associations Council at the Lower House.

Tarawneh said: "We are forming a committee to follow up the dialogue, which we hope will be positive and fruitful.”

Parliament is not bound by the decision of the International Monetary Fund but committed to the interest of the Jordanian people, he added.

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Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
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Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)

Baghdad has been preoccupied this week with serious possibilities that Israel may expand its war on Gaza and Lebanon by striking several targets in Iraq in retaliation to attacks by Iran-backed armed factions.

Concern has been high that Israel may attack government buildings, oil fields and strategic locations, not just the positions of the armed factions that have previously launched attacks against Israel, said sources close to the pro-Iran ruling Coordination Framework.

Media sources have spoken of government speculation that Iraq could come under “300 Israeli attacks”.

The fears in Iraq have been compounded by an Israeli complaint to the United Nations Security Council against seven armed factions and holding Baghdad responsible for the attacks they have carried out against it.

This prompted the government, through the foreign ministry, to send an official letter to the Security Council, UN Secretary-General, Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation in response to the Israeli threats.

The ministry said on Saturday that Iraq is “the cornerstone of stability in the region and world and it is one of the countries that are most committed to the UN Charter.”

“The Zionist entity’s letter to the Security Council is part of a systematic policy aimed at creating claims and excuses in an attempt to expand the conflict in the region.”

It said Iraq has turned to the Security Council out of Iraq’s keenness on the international body carrying out its duty in maintaining international peace and security and the need to rein in the “Zionist aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.”

Moreover, it stressed that Iraq has been keen on exercising restraint when it comes to the use of its airspace to attack a neighboring country.

Israel has used Iraqi airspace to launch attacks against Iran in October.

Iraq underscored the importance of the international community stepping in to “stop this hostile behavior that is a flagrant violation of international law.”

It called for international efforts to stop the Israeli escalation in the region and ensure that international laws and treaties are respected to consolidate security and stability.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Coordination Framework said the main Shiite parties are taking the Israeli threats “very seriously”, urging Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government to take “all the necessary measures to avert a potential Israeli strike.”

All leaders of armed factions, as well as Shiite leaders, have taken up alternative locations and are moving under great secrecy, confirming that they have changed the majority of their military positions, said the source.

It also dismissed claims that Israeli jets have overflown Iraq, saying nothing has been confirmed, but not ruling out the possibility, especially since US forces have control over Iraqi skies and Iraq is helpless against stopping these violations.

Iraq had submitted a formal complaint to the UN and Security Council over Israel’s use and violation of its airspace to attack Iran.

Analyst and former diplomat Ghazi Faisal said the pro-Iran armed factions have been gathering their forces in the Sinjar province, which is strategic for Iran’s arms deliveries and logistic support to Syria where attacks can be carried out against American forces and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Sinjar is one of the most important strategic bases for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, he added.

Furthermore, he noted that the armed factions insist on continuing the war against Israel, rejecting government calls for calm and neutrality.

The government’s statements are aimed at delivering a message that it “is not directly responsible for the strategy of these factions,” which follow Iran’s policies.

Iraq has repeatedly said that it refuses for its territory to be used to attack another country, but some observers believe that it may allow Iran to do so should Israel strike.