Jordan says terrorist attack killed policeman in Amman

A Jordanian policeman named Corporal Jawad Ali Khalaf Al Salayta was killed and another officer was injured in a terrorist attack in Amman on Thursday. The incident occurred on Medina Street around 12.20pm as the officer was carrying out his duties. The attacker struck Al Salayta with a sharp object before a police patrol intervened, subdued the assailant and apprehended him.

Al Salayta was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries later. The other officer was also taken to the hospital in a stable condition. Authorities stated the suspect had intended to target Public Security Directorate personnel. Investigations are ongoing, with security agencies questioning the suspect. The Public Security Directorate mourned Al Salayta, describing his death as a tragic loss while serving his country.

Last month, a separate attack claimed the lives of nine Christian men and injured 34 others during a funeral service at St George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Karak governorate. Jordanian authorities subsequently arrested three men suspected of orchestrating the church attack, which remains the deadliest incident against Jordan’s Christian minority since the 1950s.

With a population of 11 million, Jordan is home to approximately 250,000 Christians. The Christians who perished in the church attack were prominent members of the Halasah clan. The assailants in the church incident have been charged with terrorism offenses and are now facing trial proceedings at the State Security Court.