Jordan: a police officer killed in Amman, the authorities speak of a “cowardly terrorist act”

A Jordanian police officer died Thursday of his injuries following a stabbing attack in the capital Amman, the Public Security Directorate said, with authorities calling it a “cowardly terrorist act.” This incident comes almost two weeks after a rare attack by armed men against a church in the south of the kingdom, which left nine people dead and more than 25 injured.

An individual stabbed a “public security officer” at midday, who was immediately transported to hospital where he died, the Directorate of Public Security said in a press release. The initial conclusions of the investigation point to a “cowardly terrorist act,” the minister responsible for government communications, Mohammad al-Momani, declared on X.

“Any attack against members of the security forces in the exercise of their duties constitutes an attack on the prestige of the State and the rule of law,” he added. Another agent, who came to help the police officer during the attack, was also injured and taken to hospital, said the Directorate of Public Security, which reported the arrest of the attacker.

According to footage from public broadcaster al-Mamlaka, police cordoned off the perimeter of the attack site in front of the Sri Lankan embassy in Amman. On October 23, gunmen opened fire during a funeral in a Greek Orthodox church in Karak governorate, killing nine people. The three suspects, who fled, were arrested three days later. This week, the courts brought charges related to terrorism against them.