Fighter jets of the Jordanian Air Force shot down dozens of Iranian drones crossing its airspace on the way to attack targets in neighboring Israel early on Sunday morning, security sources told Reuters.
The Iranian regime launched hundreds of drones and missiles against Israel late on Saturday evening, in response to the alleged Israeli strike near the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, that killed seven senior Iranian officers on April 1.
Jordan’s cabinet confirmed that it intercepted flying objects in its airspace to ensure the safety of its citizens. “Some shrapnel fell in multiple places during that time without causing any significant damage or any injuries to citizens,” it said.
The Jordanian Armed Forces “will confront, supported by the security services and competent authorities, everything that endangers citizens, airspace and lands with all available capabilities,” it added.
According to Reuters, the Jordanian jets shot down drones flying over northern and central Jordan, with most being intercepted over the Jordanian side of the Jordan Valley while heading toward Jerusalem.
Others were shot down in the eastern part of the kingdom, close to the border triangle with Syria and Iraq.
The Jordanian assistance for Israel comes after a marked decline in neighborly relations following the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Jordanian officials repeatedly attacked Israel harshly over its war conduct.
The kingdom operates field hospitals in the Gaza Strip and replenishes its supplies through airdrops, carried out by the king and his daughter, Princess Salma, who are both trained Air Force pilots.
Jordanian sources reported residents spotting several downed drones in neighborhoods south of the capital Amman, including a large drone that fell in a commercial area of a suburb. Authorities quickly arrived at the scene, cordoning off the area to manage the fallen debris and ensure citizens’ safety, Roya News reported.
As of Sunday afternoon, Jordanian King Abdullah II had not yet commented on the Iranian attack.
In a first official statement, Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi, who has been highly critical of Israel during the last months, said the only way to stop the “dangerous escalation” in the region was to stop Israel’s “aggression” in Gaza, to end its occupation and implement a two-state solution.
Jordanian authorities announced the reopening of its airspace in the morning after it was closed Saturday evening “as a precautionary measure.”
In addition to Jordan’s Air Force, the Israeli efforts were also assisted by the armed forces of the United States, Great Britain and France.
U.S. forces operating from undisclosed bases in the region intercepted several drones in southern Syria close to the Jordanian border, according to Reuters. The U.S. is maintaining military bases in eastern Jordan.
The involvement of the Jordanian Air Force in intercepting last night’s attack from Iran underscores its commitment to countering threats that could escalate conflict in the region.
The Kingdom of Jordan and the State of Israel signed an agreement nearly 30 years ago, formally known as the “Treaty of Peace.”
Anti-Israel protests in Jordan recently began to escalate, raising concerns about the influence of Hamas and a potential government takeover. What started as expressions of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas conflict evolved into pro-Hamas riots, leading to violent clashes between Jordanian security forces and protesters.
Jordan’s interception of Iranian drones overnight highlights the delicate balance the Jordanian government faces when it comes to domestic public opinion, regional alliances – particularly with Israel – and its own security interests.
