Jordan has officially declared the Muslim Brotherhood illegal and ordered the closure of all its offices, marking a significant escalation in the kingdom’s counterterrorism measures. The ban comes just one week after security forces arrested several members of the Islamist organization on suspicion of planning rocket and drone attacks against national targets.
Jordan’s Interior Minister’s Full Ban on Muslim Brotherhood
Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya stated at a press conference that authorities would shut down all Brotherhood offices and seize its assets, warning that any future activities would be treated as criminal offenses. The Muslim Brotherhood, which has long operated in Jordan despite previous legal challenges, immediately denied involvement in the alleged terror plots.
Impact on Islamic Action Front: Jordan’s Largest Opposition Party
The ban raises questions about the fate of the Brotherhood’s political wing, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), which holds 31 seats in Jordan’s 138-member parliament. Shortly after the announcement, police raided the IAF headquarters, though party leaders maintain their independence.
The IAF Secretary-General Wael Saqqa emphasized that his party operates separately from the Brotherhood, stating, “We are an independent political entity committed to Jordan’s constitution and rule of law.”
The Muslim Brotherhood’s Controversial Status in Jordan
This is not the first time Jordan has moved against the group. In 2020, the country’s High Court ruled the Brotherhood “dissolved” due to unresolved legal registration issues.
Despite this, the organization continued its activities, and the IAF participated in Jordan’s 2022 parliamentary elections, emerging as the leading opposition force.
The Jordanian government’s crackdown is a sign of the deeper tensions between Arab states and the Muslim Brotherhood, which several countries—including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—designate as a terrorist organization.
Political pundits have even said that the ban could strain Jordan’s delicate balance between maintaining internal security and accommodating political dissent.
What Happens Now
With no official statement yet from the Muslim Brotherhood’s leadership, observers await reactions from regional players and human rights groups, some of whom may criticize the move as suppressing opposition voices.
Meanwhile, Jordanian authorities appear resolved to press forward with their counterterrorism campaign, signaling tougher measures against perceived threats.
