The security authorities in Jordan arrested dozens of people who participated in "riots" that broke out during the protests over the hike in fuel prices, while King Abdullah II considered that "the attacks and acts of vandalism are a serious violation of the security of the homeland" and that he would not allow it.

And the Public Security Directorate announced - in a statement published today, Saturday - that it had dealt with riots in a number of regions, and that it had arrested 44 people who participated in these acts in various regions.

The statement indicated that the detainees will be referred to the competent authorities, in addition to those arrested in the previous days.

The Security Directorate said that it has intensified its security deployment in the governorates "to ensure the enforcement of the rule of law and the preservation of the security of citizens," referring to the return of relative calm to the southern governorates after the bloody events that took place in the city of Husseiniya.

The King of Jordan considered "the attacks and acts of vandalism a serious threat to the security of the homeland" (Reuters)

The king denounces

And Abdullah II stressed that he would deal firmly with anyone who raises arms against the state and encroaches on public property, and said that he will not rest until the criminal receives his punishment.

"We will not accept insults or assaults against members of our security services who are vigilant about the security of the homeland and the citizen," the King added, while offering condolences on the death of the deputy security director of Ma'an Governorate, considering that "the attacks and acts of vandalism are a serious violation of the security of the homeland" and that he will not allow that.

Yesterday, Friday, the Public Security Directorate announced the killing of Ma’an police chief, Colonel Abdul Razzaq Al-Dalabeh, with a gunshot wound to the head while he was dealing with “riots,” during which an officer and a non-commissioned officer were wounded by bullets, in the Husseiniya area of ​​this governorate.

The Directorate confirmed that the investigations into the killing of Colonel Al Dalabeh are continuing, "and will not stop until the perpetrator is arrested and handed over to the hands of justice so that he receives a deterrent punishment."


outcome of the protests

The Director of Public Security, Major General Obaidullah Al-Maaytah, stated that 49 security personnel were injured during the riots, and that 70 public security vehicles and more than 90 citizens' vehicles were attacked.

Since the beginning of this month, the southern governorates have witnessed mostly peaceful strikes, in protest against the rise in fuel prices, starting with truck drivers who were sometimes joined by taxi and public bus drivers.

Markets and shops were closed - Wednesday - in solidarity with this protest movement in the governorates of Ma'an, Karak and Madaba, all of which are located south of the capital, Amman.