Jordanian police announced on Monday (December 19th) that three members of the security forces lost their lives during a raid against a "terrorist cell" in the south of the country.
A man, accused of murdering a senior police official, was killed during the operation.
According to the authorities, "three members of the security forces were killed and five others were injured on Monday during an operation targeting a terrorist cell, including the person responsible for the death of Colonel Al-Dalabih".
This colonel was shot dead on Friday during demonstrations against rising fuel prices in Maan, 218 km south of Amman.
The security forces "encircled the place where the suspects were, who opened fire" on the police.
They fought back, police said in a statement.
The operation allowed "the arrest of nine people, including four brothers of the terrorist killed", "who were in possession of firearms", indicated the police, specifying that the man killed was a follower of the ideology of "takfiris", a term designating members of radical jihadist organizations.
Strikes and demonstrations
The Jordanian authorities announced on Saturday the arrest of 44 people, while the country is shaken by strikes and demonstrations against rising fuel prices.
01:51
They had accused "groups of vandals and outlaws" of leading the riots in Maan governorate, where Colonel Al-Dalabih was shot dead.
King Abdullah II had said that a firm response would be given to "anyone who uses a weapon against the state".
The strikes and demonstrations began ten days ago with a movement of truck drivers, followed by taxi drivers, and affected several provinces in the south of the country.
Protesters sometimes blocked roads with burning tires and scuffles pitted them against security forces.
Fuel prices have almost doubled in Jordan compared to last year, especially those of diesel, generally used by trucks and buses, and kerosene, the main heating fuel.
In this tense context, French President Emmanuel Macron is due to travel to Jordan on Tuesday, the country hosting the "Baghdad II" Summit, dedicated to the situation in Iraq, from December 19 to 22.
With AFP
The summary of the
France 24 week invites you to come back to the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 app