Jordan Government Vows to Confront Attempts to Stir Instability

Jordan Minister of Interior Salameh Hammad. Muhammad Hamed/ Reuters
Jordan Minister of Interior Salameh Hammad. Muhammad Hamed/ Reuters
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Jordan Government Vows to Confront Attempts to Stir Instability

Jordan Minister of Interior Salameh Hammad. Muhammad Hamed/ Reuters
Jordan Minister of Interior Salameh Hammad. Muhammad Hamed/ Reuters

Jordanian Minister of State for Media Affairs Amjad Adaileh has asserted that the government will fight against anyone who triggers instability and tension in the country.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Adaileh commented on the chaos that followed a protest for teachers in Karak (in the south of the country). The chaos led to the injury of seven and the arrest of around 48 people.

The minister stressed that the government won’t go easy with anyone who offends the security guards and relevant bodies as they perform their tasks. Any financial, partisan, or syndicate demand won’t be fulfilled using this attitude but through dialogue and acceptance of others, he stressed.

Adaileh further noted that there are some practices that contradict with the precautionary measures such as gatherings, as well as holding weddings and funerals. For this, the government and the administrative governors will join efforts to handle the violations strictly.

Moreover, Jordan Minister of Interior Salameh Hammad affirmed Tuesday that the government will never tolerate violence against security personnel on their duty. Hammad condemned the incident in Karak, during which police officers were attacked while on their official duty, as "unacceptable".

He explained that the protest that took place this evening in Karak was not limited to teachers, but witnessed the participation of two political parties, activists, and some young people who were "deceived" by them.

The country has been witnessing stands by teachers in several provinces demanding abolishing the decision to shut down the syndicate and releasing those arrested – amid a campaign of mass arrests of activists and heads of syndicate branches.



Pentagon Acknowledges There Are More than 2,500 US Troops in Iraq

A US soldier is seen at a military base near Mosul, Iraq. (Reuters file)
A US soldier is seen at a military base near Mosul, Iraq. (Reuters file)
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Pentagon Acknowledges There Are More than 2,500 US Troops in Iraq

A US soldier is seen at a military base near Mosul, Iraq. (Reuters file)
A US soldier is seen at a military base near Mosul, Iraq. (Reuters file)

The Pentagon acknowledged Monday that there are more than 2,500 US troops in Iraq, the total routinely touted publicly. It also said the number of forces in Syria has grown over the past “several years” due to increasing threats, but was not openly disclosed.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement that there are “at least 2,500” US military personnel in Iraq “plus some additional, temporary enablers” that are on rotational deployments.

He said that due to diplomatic considerations, the department will not provide more specifics.

The US concluded sensitive negotiations with the government of Iraq in September that called for troops to begin leaving after the November election.

The presence of US troops there has long been a political liability for Iraqi leaders who are under increased pressure and influence from Iran.

US officials have not provided details about the withdrawal agreement, but it calls for the mission against the ISIS group to end by September 2025, and that some US troops will remain through 2026 to support the anti-ISIS mission in Syria. Some troops may stay in the Kurdistan region after that because the regional government would like them to stay.

Ryder announced last week that there are about 2,000 US troops in Syria – more than double the 900 that the US had acknowledged publicly until now.

On Monday he said the extra 1,100 would be deployed for shorter times to do force protection, transportation, maintenance and other missions. He said the number has fluctuated for the past several years and increased “over time.”