Jordan takes wait-and-see approach on Islamic State
Public pressure is mounting on the Jordanian government to act decisively against jihadists, fearing the kingdom could become the next target of the Islamic State.
For weeks now, Jordan’s punditry has been debating the same issue: Will the kingdom become the next target for the Islamic State (IS)? Government officials, newspaper columnists and members of the political establishment have responded to growing fears by citizens that the extreme Salafist jihadist organization may soon direct its attention toward Jordan, in light of recent territorial gains in Syria and Iraq and the latest incursion into the Lebanese border town of Arsal.
Adding to local concerns is the fact that Jordan’s own Salafist jihadist movement is now divided over its support of IS, and the declaration by its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, of an Islamic caliphate in territories under his control. Last month, a group of Jordanian Salafists were caught on video, in the eastern city of Zarqa, chanting slogans in support of IS and pledging allegiance to Baghdadi. The video went viral on social media networks.
The incident came in the wake of another demonstration in support of IS on June 21 in the troubled southern town of Ma’an, a hotbed for the Salafist movement. Police did nothing to disperse participants who waved the familiar black and white IS flags.
Responding to such acts of support, the spiritual leader of the Salafist jihadist movement, Issam al-Barqawi, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Maqdisi, launched a vehement attack against IS, accusing it of killing Muslims and criticizing its declaration of an Islamist caliphate. Maqdisi was released from jail on June 16, a few days before he made his statements, raising questions about a possible deal between him and the authorities. He later denied that he had come under pressure to attack IS.
