Jordan's king vows to deal firmly with violent protesters

King Abdullah II's comments come after the death of a policeman during protests over fuel prices

Jordanian soldiers and mourners carry the coffin of Col Abdul Razzaq Al Dalabeh, the deputy police director of Maan province, during his funeral procession in Jarash on December 16, 2022. EPA

Jordan will take all measures to hold accountable all those who resort to violence during protests, King Abdullah II said on Friday.

The king's statement came after the death of a senior police officer during overnight clashes with protesters in the southern province of Maan. Tensions are high in Maan and several cities in southern Jordan after strikes by lorry drivers over high fuel prices.

"We will deal firmly with anyone who takes up arms against the state and attacks public property and citizens' rights," King Abdullah said in statements carried by state TV.

“Attacks and acts of vandalism seriously affect the security of the nation, and we will not allow that,” the king said during a visit to offer condolences to the family of the slain officer, Col Abdul Razzaq Al Dalabeh.

The Public Security Directorate said Col Al Dalabeh, the deputy director of Maan's police force, died after being shot in the head during protests in the Al Husseiniya area.

“We will not tolerate insults or attacks on members of our security agencies,” King Abdullah said.

“This is my child and the child of all Jordanians. And we will not rest until the criminal is punished before justice for his heinous crime,” the king said.

Two officers were wounded during the protests, which police blamed on “a group of vandals and outlaws”.

Also on Friday, Jordan said it was suspending TikTok services because of the short-form video app's “failure to deal with content inciting violence and calls for chaos”.

“TikTok platform has failed to deal with the misuse of the service by its users,” the country’s cybercrime unit said.

TikTok users used the platform “to laud and publish violent acts and calls for chaos”, the unit said.

“The unit monitors all that is posted on social media platforms, particularly posts related to hate speech, incitation to sabotage, attacks on law enforcement bodies and properties and cutting off roads,” it said.

The unit said it would refer any person who commits such crimes to the judiciary.