Jordan foils armed conspiracy involving rockets, drones, and foreign operatives

Department of Research, Studies and International News 16-04-2025

Jordanian authorities have disrupted a significant plot that posed a serious threat to the country’s national security, according to an official statement released on Tuesday. The operation led to the arrest of 16 individuals allegedly involved in the illegal production and importation of weaponry, including rockets and explosives, as well as the establishment of a drone-manufacturing facility within the kingdom.

The General Intelligence Department (GID) confirmed that the suspects had been engaged in activities designed to destabilize the state. Investigations revealed that the plot extended beyond Jordan’s borders, involving plans to recruit and train agents both domestically and in neighboring Lebanon. Among the most alarming discoveries was a covert drone factory, indicating the advanced nature of the group’s preparations.

The arrested individuals have been referred to Jordan’s State Security Court to face legal proceedings. Officials stated that the operation had been under surveillance since 2021, and during this time, security forces tracked the construction and assembly of weapon systems, including rockets ready for imminent use.

According to a security source cited by Reuters, the network is believed to have connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, Jordan’s largest and historically contentious opposition group. The alleged leader of the cell is said to be based in Lebanon and played a key role in training some of the cell’s operatives.

The Muslim Brotherhood has long been under scrutiny in Jordan for its political activism and influence, particularly among the kingdom’s sizeable Palestinian population. In recent months, tensions have escalated amid widespread demonstrations against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. With over 51,000 Palestinians reportedly killed since the conflict began in October 2023, Jordan has witnessed large-scale protests demanding an immediate end to the violence.

Security analyst Amer Al Sabaileh told Reuters that the operation marked a strategic shift in the tactics used by such groups. “The use of rockets and drones reflects a fundamental change in how certain movements are approaching their goals in Jordan. This is no longer about protests, it’s about militarized threats to the state,” he explained.

During a press briefing, government spokesperson Mohammad Momani disclosed that the suspects’ confessions would be made public. He confirmed that several of them had received combat training abroad, particularly in Lebanon. Authorities discovered a stash of rockets hidden in a remote location on the outskirts of Amman, with a striking range of three to five kilometers, apparently intended for use within Jordanian territory.

In response to the revelations, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed readiness to assist Jordan in its investigation. During a call with his Jordanian counterpart, Salam firmly stated that Lebanon would not serve as a base for any hostile action against a neighboring state. Quoted by the Lebanese National News Agency, he emphasized Beirut’s commitment to regional stability and its solidarity with Jordan in countering any subversive threats.

This incident follows a pattern of heightened security threats that Jordan has faced over the past year. Authorities have previously intercepted numerous arms smuggling attempts linked to groups based in Syria and Lebanon, many of which are believed to have affiliations with Iran or pro-Iranian factions. Jordanian officials reported that some of the intercepted weapons were intended for the Israeli-occupied West Bank, while others were meant for sabotage operations within Jordan itself.

Security experts believe the scale and complexity of the plot indicate the involvement of a larger regional network. Jordan, a key ally of the United States, hosts over 3,500 American troops across several military installations. Since the onset of the war in Gaza, Jordan has increasingly found itself in the crosshairs of Iranian-backed militias operating in nearby conflict zones, including Syria and Iraq.

In one notable incident last year, Jordan intercepted and destroyed missiles fired by Iran toward Israel that passed through its airspace. The move drew mixed reactions among the Jordanian public, particularly from citizens of Palestinian descent, who remain deeply connected to the ongoing conflict and harbor grievances dating back to the 1948 Nakba and the 1967 war.

As investigations continue, Jordan’s government has vowed to remain vigilant against any attempt to undermine its sovereignty and security. The foiling of this plot serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing regional tensions and the ever-evolving threats facing the kingdom.