In a remote region of Jordan, a compelling manhunt culminated in a fatal gun battle, resulting in the deaths of two escaped prisoners and a third individual, authorities announced on Sunday.
The Public Security Directorate disclosed that the fugitives were successfully traced by law enforcement amidst treacherous desert topography; however, their resistance to arrest ignited a fierce exchange of gunfire.
Notably, one of the suspects was associated with a militant organization, amplifying the significance of the operation.
According to a statement from the police, reported by Petra, Jordan’s state-linked news agency, security forces effectively “encircled the fugitives and adhered to the rules of engagement when confronted with their indiscriminate use of automatic firearms.”
The Public Security Directorate, an integral division of the Ministry of Interior responsible for maintaining law and order within the kingdom, orchestrated the mission.
Authorities revealed that one of the escapees had been convicted for the 2022 slaying of a distinguished police officer, Abdul Razzaq Abdel Hafez Al Dalabeh tragically lost his life during a confrontation with demonstrators who had taken to the streets to voice their grievances over exorbitant fuel prices. Regrettably, three additional officers fell victim to fatal incidents while attempting to apprehend individuals implicated in Al Dalabeh’s murder.
Saturday’s shootout unfolded in a rugged area situated in the southeastern part of the country, as detailed in a statement issued by the directorate. Investigative efforts are underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the escape of the two men from their confinement.
The region where Al Dalabeh met his untimely demise is an economically disadvantaged and marginalized locality within the country, burdened by substantial unemployment rates. Historically, expressions of sympathy towards ISIS have been observed in this area.
Last year, Jordan experienced one of the most severe periods of unrest in recent memory, triggered by a truck drivers’ strike in response to soaring fuel costs. Strikes and protests reverberated across multiple cities, with confrontations erupting between demonstrators and law enforcement personnel as recently as last Thursday.
As a steadfast ally of the Western world, Jordan has long been recognized as a bastion of stability in a tumultuous reg.
