Jordan bans Muslim Brotherhood, accuses it of accumulating arms
Jordan declared on April 23rd that it was prohibiting the operations of the Islamist movement, the Muslim Brotherhood, alleging it has manufactured and accumulated a large amount of weapons and intends to bring instability to the country.
This follows the authorities saying they apprehended 16 people, such as members of the movement, concerning a purported sabotage plan, France 24 via Reuters and AFP reported.
Amman, Jordan’s capital, houses several Muslim Brotherhood offices. The movement frequently makes statements and holds demonstrations to support Palestinians, particularly since the beginning of the Gaza war in October 2023.
The Muslim Brotherhood has denied any awareness of a conspiracy. They dismissed it as actions by individuals endorsing the Palestinian “resistance.” The group subsequently affirmed its unwavering support for “Jordan’s security and stability.”
Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said: “It has been decided to ban all activities of the so-called Muslim Brotherhood and to consider any activity (carried out by it) a violation of the provisions of the law.”
The minister added that the ban also applies to “any offices or headquarters used by the group, even if it is in partnership with any other parties.” Following Faraya’s announcement, authorities raided their headquarters and took all documents.
Faraya accused the movement’s members of “operating in the shadows and engage in activities that could undermine stability and security.” He stated that officials located “explosives and weapons transported between Jordanian cities and stored in residential areas.” He also said there were secret missile production sites and “training and recruitment operations” tied to the movement.
According to the BBC on April 24th, it is not clear how the prohibition will influence the Islamic Action Front, the top opposition group in parliament, and the movement’s political wing.
Jordan’s recent moves match the wider regional push to target the movement. The UAE added 11 political dissidents to its terrorist list, for their alleged links to the Muslim Brotherhood, Middle East Eye reported on April 22nd.
BBC, France 24 via Reuters and AFP, Middle East Eye
