Funeral of colonel in Jordanian security forces who was killed by vandals

Thousands of Jordanian citizens, after Friday noon prayers, attended the funeral of Colonel Abdul Razzaq Al-Dalabeh, who was killed during riots in Ma’an Governorate, in southern Jordan, at dawn on Friday. Military rites were performed during the funeral, which was held in Al-Kafeer in Jerash Governorate to the north of capital Amman.

Jordanian authorities announced on Friday morning the death of Ma’an Governorate deputy chief of police, Colonel Abdul Razzaq Al-Dalabeh, who was killed by “vandals bullets,” according to the statement. They also announced that an officer and a non-commissioned officer were wounded by gunshots fired during the events in Ma’an.

The official statement issued by General Security said, “Colonel Abdul Razzaq Al-Dalabeh died after being shot in the head, while dealing with riots carried out by a group of vandals and outlaws in the Husseiniya area of Ma’an Governorate.” The statement put emphasis on what it described as “striking with an iron fist anyone who attempts to attack lives and public property and threatens the security of the country and citizens.”

The shooting incident comes amid a state of tension in several regions in Jordan, following the announcement of a strike by transport drivers about a week ago, to protest against government’s decision to raise fuel prices. The strike led to the suspension of shipping operations in the port of Aqaba in southern Jordan for several days.