TEL AVIV – Jordan on Monday said it foiled a series of massive attacks planned by the Islamic State on shopping malls, religious and security buildings aimed at wreaking havoc in the country, its state media reported.
Seventeen Islamic State members were arrested in November by Jordanian security forces on suspicion of planning a number of “coordinated attacks with the aim of shaking the country’s security, and sowing chaos and fear in its citizens,” the report said. The suspects were charged on several terror-related counts.
The report added that weapons and explosives had also been confiscated from the cell. It said that the cell had carried out a series of bank robberies and car thefts to fund the materials for the explosives, which were homemade.
Jordan has in recent years thwarted several Islamic State attacks in the country, although one year ago it failed to stop a shooting attack in the tourist city of Karak. Ten people were killed when a gunman opened fire on a crowd, including a Canadian tourist.
Jordan, an ally of the U.S., has been instrumental in the American-led campaign against the Islamic State in the region.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.