KING Abdullah of Jordan said his country would hold all those accountable for undermining the security of the Kingdom and the safety of its citizens after four security officers were killed in a shoot-out.
The clash late on Saturday was among the deadliest between suspected militants and Jordanian security forces in recent years.
“This cowardly criminal act always reminds us that our country is targeted by the oppressors who wish evil upon us all,” King Abdullah said.
“Jordanians are stronger when they face such events, and they are more enthusiastic to clean our country and the region and protect our religion.”
“Our goal is always to break the back of terrorism and we will not depart from this goal despite the sacrifices.”
The chain of events in Jordan began on Friday when assailants detonated a home-made bomb under a police car guarding a music festival in the predominantly Christian town of Fuheis, west of the capital of Amman.
The blast, labelled a terrorist attack by Jordan’s prime minister, killed a police officer.
King Abdullah’s statement came as search teams pulled the bodies of three suspected militants from the rubble of their hideout.
The search came hours after assailants opened fire and set off explosions that killed four members of the security forces trying to storm the building.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here