Opening a new session of parliament in Amman, Jordanian King Abdullah II declared that the kingdom would not be shaken by a deadly attack on a church in the southern city of Karak last month, according to Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera reported that the king stated the "treacherous hand of terrorism" had reached out to test state resilience, while affirming to lawmakers that the attackers "are not of us."
According to Al Jazeera, the attack occurred about two weeks prior, resulting in nine deaths and dozens of injuries. The king asked lawmakers to observe a minute of silence for the victims, whose relatives were present at the session. Al Jazeera's reporting from Amman noted that King Abdullah emphasized the nation would rely on national unity, public awareness, the army, and security services to strike extremism with an "iron fist."
Background
According to Al Jazeera, King Abdullah also addressed broader regional tensions during his parliamentary address. Al Jazeera reported that the monarch warned that Israeli expansionist ambitions pose the greatest threat to the future and security of the Middle East, citing the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and successive assaults in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Additionally, Al Jazeera stated that the king pledged to protect Jordan's scarce water supplies, emphasizing that the kingdom would not allow its people's thirst to be held hostage by any party amid concerns over Israeli projects.
Al Jazeera noted that Jordan is a close United States ally that signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994, and that millions of its citizens are of Palestinian origin. Furthermore, the king directed messages to lawmakers regarding domestic governance, urging them to prioritize the national interest, calling on the government to improve living conditions, and warning officials against abusing their positions under the principle that the law knows no name or influence, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Why it matters
For international observers and readers following global affairs, the developments in Amman highlight the intersection of internal security challenges and volatile regional dynamics in the Middle East. The official response from Jordan's leadership underscores the delicate balance required in maintaining domestic stability, managing regional diplomatic pacts, and addressing public concerns over critical resources such as water.