Jordan unrest

RPS Partnership has just conducted personal security awareness training in Jordan for a global and gas corporation and still has consultants working in the Middle East, assessing the current situation.  RPS Partnership also has a consultant in Jordan.

Security has now been increased at Jordan's Mutah University in Karak governorate following violent clashes between rival gangs as well as between students and the police yesterday.

The violence began with confrontations between armed students from rival tribes. Sparked by a personal dispute, the situation escalated when security forces attempted to intervene; police initially responded with teargas, and tried to keep the situation under control. However, another bout of violence subsequently broke out and a number of casualties were reported.

Sporadic outbreaks of violence relating to ongoing tribal tensions are a persistent and growing security concern at Jordan's main university campuses, with rival groups repeatedly engaging in armed confrontations at prominent universities in recent months.

The unrest, although purportedly motivated by a range of issues, including tribal disputes and contested student council elections, is often sparked by localised, seemingly minor, personal disputes.

RPS Partnership assesses that these incidents have the potential to escalate rapidly; violence at Mutah University and the al-Hussein bin Talal University in Ma'an in April and May of this year resulted in numerous casualties, including one fatality.

The impact on foreigners has been minimal to date; however, given the unpredictable nature of the unrest and the frequent heavy police response, these incidents pose a high incidental threat to all people nearby when it happens.

Further violence at Mutah University is possible in the near future. In addition, it is possible that the latest incident may spark protests and/or unrest at other institutions in Jordan in the coming months.

RPS Partnership advises clients or travellers in the Karak governorate to monitor local developments closely. For more advice on travel plans in this region, please contact RPS Partnership on [email protected]. 

In the short term all protests and concentrations of security forces should be avoided in Jordan as a precaution.

Source: Red24

Photos: RPS Partnership