Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan vowed on Friday that the kingdom would continue its campaign against terrorism. His statement followed a knife attack in Amman on Thursday that left one police officer dead and another wounded.
Hassan condemned the murder of Corporal Jawad Al-Salayta. The officer was stabbed while carrying out his duties.
Hassan pledged a strong response against threats to national security and social cohesion, posting his remarks on the social media platform X.
We will strike with an iron fist against the hideouts of extremists and terrorists, and anyone who cooperates with them, Hassan wrote. He added that the country would show zero tolerance for extremist ideology.
Hassan expressed condolences to the family of the slain officer. He also wished a rapid recovery to Lieutenant Firas Al-Ananzeh, who sustained injuries while trying to subdue the assailant.
Investigators stated that early findings suggest the suspect targeted security personnel. Prosecutors at the State Security Court initiated a formal inquiry into the incident.
The assault occurred less than a fortnight after a shooting at a funeral in Karak. Gunmen opened fire at St George s Greek Orthodox Church in Hmoud village, killing nine people and wounding at least forty.
State authorities labeled that shooting a terrorist attack. King Abdullah subsequently demanded an intensified security response and broader efforts to tackle extremist ideologies.
The State Security Court began the trial of three suspects linked to the church shooting on Wednesday. The defendants face multiple charges of terrorism, including nine counts of carrying out terrorist acts that led to fatalities.
These violent events triggered public demands in Jordan for stricter counterterrorism laws. Ibrahim Tarawneh, the speaker of the House of Representatives, announced on Friday that parliament and the government would examine current legislation to close gaps and bolster security measures.
Legal specialists have advocated for preventative counterterrorism strategies. These proposed reforms aim to stop plots before execution, block terrorist funding and online recruitment, and improve prison rehabilitation to halt the spread of extremist views.
Laith Nasraween, a constitutional law professor at the University of Jordan, supported revising the national antiterrorism statutes. He specifically mentioned the need to increase punishments for major crimes and tighten regulations on terrorist financing.
Specialists pointed out that countering terrorism demands comprehensive steps beyond mere punishment. According to the Jordan News Agency, these measures must encompass stopping radicalization and recruitment by extremist networks.
