Jordan: Raid on militant hideout in As-Salt leaves four police dead August 11 /update 1

Event

Security forces launched a raid on a militant hideout in As-Salt (Balqa province) on Saturday, August 11, resulting in the deaths of at least four police officers. The militants reportedly detonated explosives within the building as security forces raided it, killing the officers. The cell is suspected of carrying out an improvised explosive device (IED) attack on a police vehicle on Friday, August 10, in Fuheis (Balqa province), near the site of the Fuheis Festival. The raid was still ongoing in As-Salt as of Saturday night (local time), with at least three suspects arrested.

Additional militant attacks (especially targeting security forces and public celebrations) are possible in Jordan in the near-term. Further security forces raids on suspected militant positions are to be anticipated in the coming weeks.

Context

An improvised explosive device (IED) attack targeted a gendarmerie vehicle in Fuheis (Balqa province), near Amman, on August 10, killing one police officer and wounding six others. The device, suspected to have been planted by militants, reportedly exploded around 19:30 (local time) near the Fuheis Festival site. The Fuheis Festival is one of Jordan's largest and is held annually, featuring concerts and poetry readings.

Jordan faces an elevated threat of terrorist incidents from Salafist-jihadist militants (including from the Islamic State [IS]) operating both in Jordan and along the Syria-Jordan border, where authorities have recently implemented heightened security measures. In January 2018, state media reported that security forces arrested 17 members of an IS cell from Zarqa who were planning terror attacks.

Advice

Individuals in Jordan, particularly in As-Salt and Fuheis, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant for militant activity, and report all suspicious objects and behavior to the police. Adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.