King Abdullah: There are No Present or Future Concerns over Jordan’s Security

King Abdullah II of Jordan. (AFP)
King Abdullah II of Jordan. (AFP)
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King Abdullah: There are No Present or Future Concerns over Jordan’s Security

King Abdullah II of Jordan. (AFP)
King Abdullah II of Jordan. (AFP)

Jordan's King Abdullah II stressed on Tuesday that Jordan’s Armed Forces (JAF) and security agencies’ success in thwarting terrorist plots reflects their professionalism and effective coordination.

During a visit to the General Department of the Gendarmerie and the Public Security Department, King Abdullah, accompanied by Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, said there were no concerns over Jordan’s present or future security.

King Abdullah met with Gendarmerie and the Public Security Department director, Maj. Gen. Hussein Hawatmeh, who briefed him on issues and developments related to Gendarmerie forces.

Society rejects dark ideologies and its promoters, added King Abdullah.

He asserted that Jordan is strong and growing stronger every day due to the awareness of the Jordanians and their cohesion, as well as the determination and will of the armed forces and security services.

All Jordanians are proud of the security agencies’ efforts in the recent operation held to safeguard the country’s security and stability, he continued, commending the sacrifices of the JAF and security agencies.

He also expressed condolences over the death of a number of security personnel, who were killed while defending the country.

Hawatmeh, for his part, said Gendarmerie forces are honored to uphold their duty to protect Jordan and its people.

Meanwhile, Jordanian security forces were still carrying out raids against takfiri elements.

Dozens of extremists were arrested and the raids included all the neighborhoods in Salt town, lawyer for extremist groups, Musa al-Abdallat told Asharq Al-Awsat.



Israeli Forces Surround Lebanon’s Khiam Ahead of Storming it

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
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Israeli Forces Surround Lebanon’s Khiam Ahead of Storming it

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)

Israeli forces have blocked supply routes to the southern Lebanese border city of al-Khiam ahead of storming it.

They have also surrounded the strategic city with Hezbollah fighters still inside, launching artillery and air attacks against them.

Hezbollah fighters have been holding out in Khiam for 25 days. The capture of the city would be significant and allow Israeli forces easier passage into southern Lebanon.

Field sources said Israeli forces have already entered some neighborhoods of Khiam from its eastern and southern outskirts, expanding their incursion into its northern and eastern sectors to fully capture the city.

They cast doubt on claims that the city has been fully captured, saying fighting is still taking place deeper inside its streets and alleys, citing the ongoing artillery fire and drone and air raids.

Israel has already cut off Hezbollah’s supply routes by seizing control of Bourj al-Mamlouk, Tall al-Nahas and olive groves in al-Qlaa in the Marayoun region. Its forces have also fanned out to the west towards the Litani River.

The troops have set up a “line of fire” spanning at least seven kms around Khiam to deter anti-tank attacks from Hezbollah and to launch artillery, drone and aerial attacks, said the sources.

The intense pressure has forced Hezbollah to resort to suicide drone attacks against Israeli forces.

Hezbollah’s al-Manar television said Israeli forces tried to carry out a new incursion towards Khiam’s northern neighborhoods.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that since Friday night, Israeli forces have been using “all forms of weapons in their attempt to capture Khiam, which Israel views as a strategic gateway through which it can make rapid ground advances.”

It reported an increase in air and artillery attacks in the past two days as the forces try to storm the city.

The troops are trying to advance on Khiam by first surrounding it from all sides under air cover, it continued.

They are also booby-trapping some homes and buildings and then destroying them, similar to what they have done in other southern towns, such as Adeisseh, Yaround, Aitaroun and Mais al-Jabal.

Khiam holds symbolic significance to the Lebanese people because it was the first city liberated following Israel’s implementation of United Nations Security Council 425 on May 25, 2000, that led to its withdrawal from the South in a day that Hezbollah has since declared Liberation Day.