Jordan buries police officer killed during fuel protests
Arab NewsDec 16, 2022
Three Jordanian police officers were killed on Monday, following a raid on the hideout of individuals suspected of being involved in the killing of a senior police officer during demonstrations this past week in the southern city of Maan.
A suspect was killed and nine more were arrested, as police seized a large cache of weapons at the hideout in the city. Government sources believe the suspects are ISIS sympathizers who sought to exploit the widespread unrest in the country, with police releasing a statement referring to the suspects as a "terrorist sleeper cell."
The government of Jordan has repeatedly affirmed its respect for peaceful protests. Security forces acted decisively this week to eliminate terrorist actors who were using the protests as cover to further destabilize the nation. Violence has no place in demonstrations, and the government should be applauded for acting swiftly to deal with rioters and other violent actors giving legitimate protesters a bad name.
Given the government's partial role in creating the current economic crisis, it's important to remember that the validity of any news coming out of Jordan should be treated cautiously due to a strict regime of censorship in the nation. A country that values peaceful protests would not impose such sweeping restrictions on free expression as have been introduced under Jordan's government.