Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence official, has warned that Hamas is actively seeking to expand its influence into Jordan through the Muslim Brotherhood in pursuit of its broader goal of establishing a global Islamic caliphate. Melamed’s statement follows Jordan’s recent ban on the Muslim Brotherhood after authorities uncovered a terror cell allegedly plotting violent attacks. This marks the second such plot in under a year, underscoring the persistent threat within the kingdom. In total, twelve suspects are facing trial on terrorism-related charges after security forces discovered weapons, explosives, and secret missile manufacturing facilities, as well as evidence of sabotage training. Melamed emphasized that Jordan’s decision to take action reflects the monarchy’s determination to swiftly address national security threats. However, he also pointed out a deeper issue involving Jordan’s internal identity politics. The expert cautioned that the monarchy must strike a delicate balance between Bedouin, Palestinian, Islamic, and Western identities to avoid further internal strife. “The growing alignment between Palestinian and Islamist factions, combined with increasing Bedouin discontent, represents a serious challenge to the Hashemite monarchy,” Melamed stated in his analysis shared with LMSINT MEDIA. The expert further noted that Hamas, which has strong roots in the Muslim Brotherhood, views Jordan as a key strategic target in its broader vision of a global Islamic caliphate. Having established its Islamic emirate in Gaza, Hamas’s ultimate goal is to dismantle Israel and expand into Jordan, making the kingdom a “high-value target.” The recent discovery of a Hamas-linked terror cell serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks, according to Melamed, who previously served as the senior Arab affairs adviser to Jerusalem Mayors Teddy Kollek and Ehud Olmert. To curb Hamas’s growing influence, Melamed argues that it is crucial to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank—a view also shared by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Despite this, many Arab leaders, including Jordan’s king, remain hesitant to call for Hamas’s disarmament due to political sensitivities. Melamed warned that this reluctance is proving to be a costly misstep. Middle East Institute – Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood Middle East Politics Overview on LMSINT Media BUY ANYTHING ON KONG BUY NOW Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
The Jordanian government has officially banned the Muslim Brotherhood, citing involvement in a foiled terrorist conspiracy. Interior Minister Mazen Al Faraya confirmed on Wednesday that all activities by the group are now prohibited nationwide. This decisive move came after security authorities uncovered a planned attack allegedly orchestrated by members of the Brotherhood. As a result, all affiliated offices across Jordan have been shut down, and local media outlets are strictly prohibited from promoting or supporting the group in any form. Al Faraya emphasized that the organization was “operating covertly” and engaging in actions deemed harmful to national stability. He further stated: “It has been decided to ban all activities of the so-called Muslim Brotherhood and to consider any such acts as breaches of Jordanian law.” The security sweep led to the discovery of weapons and explosives concealed in civilian neighborhoods. Authorities also identified underground sites reportedly used for manufacturing missiles, as well as for recruiting and training individuals. Twelve members of the Brotherhood were formally charged by a Jordanian court last Wednesday with terrorism-related offenses, including the production of drones and firearms. Officials revealed that a total of 16 individuals were involved in the plot, which included weapons smuggling and paramilitary training allegedly conducted in Lebanon. In response, the Palestinian group Hamas expressed solidarity with the accused, referring to them as “young Jordanian men standing against the ongoing genocide in Gaza,” and demanded their release. Hamas claimed: “Supporting the Palestinian resistance is both a national and moral obligation. We commend every sincere voice and action from our brothers in Jordan.” This development marks a significant escalation in Jordan’s counter-terrorism efforts and reflects its strict stance on preventing militant operations within its borders. Read more about Jordan’s regional security policies on our blog. For more details, refer to the BBC’s report on Jordan’s crackdown. BUY ANYTHING ON KONG BUY NOW Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
