An unprecedented state of emergency was announced recently by Jordan in response to fears of terror attacks during Christmas holiday season throughout the country. The measures, which included heavy security precautions in the Jordanian capital of Amman, were announced on Saturday, and will remain in place until January 6.
The number of security agents throughout the capital have multiplied as a result, and increased security will be implemented at most of the city's hotels, restaurants, and areas frequented by tourists during the holiday season.
In addition, security agents will not be allowed to take holiday leaves until measures are lifted, and helicopters have been put on high alert to be available in the case of a bombing, according to <i> Al Sharq Al Awsat</i>.
The measures come several months after a series of bombings by Al Qaeda in several hotels in Amman took the lives of 63 people and injured 150 others.
Jordanian authorities revealed that the measures were implemented in response to threats by Al Qaeda leader Abu Musab Al Zarqawi in Iraq, who threatened to carry out attacks if Jordan did not cut ties with its neighbor, Israel, and did not cease its assistance to the United States and its campaign in Iraq.
Jordan's former Intelligence Chief Samih Asfura was dismissed some months back following the firing of Katyusha rockets at the southern Israeli town of Eilat and at American targets.
© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
