Jordanians denounce attack on security office

Jordanians have strongly condemned a deadly June 6th attack on an intelligence agency office in Amman's al-Baqaa refugee camp, with King Abdullah II vowing to act decisively against anyone who threatens the kingdom’s security.

Five security personnel were killed in the early morning assault, which appears to have been carried out by a lone gunman, according to media reports.

The General Intelligence Department swiftly arrested one suspect, government spokesman Mohammed al-Momani said in an official statement.

"The terrorist targeted the security headquarters on the morning of the first day of the month of Ramadan, clear evidence of the criminal behaviour of these elements and their deviation from our religion," al-Momani said.

"They shed the innocent blood of people who pledged their lives to protect the homeland and its citizens and achievements," he added.

Jordanians stand united in the face of the attempts to undermine their security and stability, he said, noting that "these criminal acts will only make them more united and strong in the face of all the forces of evil and darkness".

King Abdullah visited the General Intelligence Department on June 7th to offer his condolences, while Queen Rania visited the homes of each of the bereaved families the following day.

"Jordan will act with all firmness and force against anyone who seeks to undermine its security," Abdullah said.

"National unity is our weapon and we will use it to thwart all plans that aim to disrupt stability and cohesion in our society," he said, adding that the kingdom "will not be weakened by the terrorist acts of the traitors".

'Terrorism has no religion'

The attack "shows that terrorists are devoid of humanity", said Mohammad al-Aidi, assistant professor of Islamic jurisprudence at the World Islamic Sciences and Education University.

Those who kill innocent people "have no religion and no connection to Islam whatsoever", he told Al-Shorfa.

Islam advocates love, tolerance and acceptance of others, he said, adding that it also prohibits the taking of human life.

The attack on the security forces aimed to destabilise Jordan, as security agencies are the first line of defence for its citizens, he said.

Jordanians must be more alert during these times, he added, as extremist groups such as the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) and others "seek to sow sedition and hope to destabilise Jordan".

Extremist groups seek to mislead the youth, particularly via social media, al-Aidi said, stressing the need for greater awareness to combat extremist ideology.

Public awareness is key

Jordan "is urgently called upon to tighten security measures to prevent any attack or aggression against security and other agencies", said political analyst Raed al-Omari.

Public awareness is key to thwarting attempts to target the kingdom’s security, he told Al-Shorfa, noting that civilians played a major role in the apprehension and arrest of the first suspect mere hours after the assault.

"We need vigilance and unity at the same time, because the unity of Jordanians and their solidarity with the security agencies is the basis for thwarting any attempt by any party or terrorist group that seeks to target Jordan," he said.

Adel Diab, a shop owner in downtown Amman, condemned the attack.

"What is the guilt of those martyred heroes? Why this criminality on the first day of the month of Ramadan, a month of mercy, peace and forgiveness?" he told Al-Shorfa.

"These terrorists have no religion or humanity," he added. "They are monsters. Support must be given to all efforts aimed at eradicating this dark ideology wherever it is found."