Tackling the scourge of terrorism

Jordan Times ^ | 8/21/05 | Editorial Board

[Embraer2004]

Editorial Tackling the scourge of terrorism

The rocket attacks in Aqaba on Friday prove a grim reminder that Jordan is not immune from the violence plaguing the region and from the forces of international terrorism which threaten to destabilise our economic, social and political development. One Jordanian was killed and another injured as Katyusha rockets aimed at two US warships in the Gulf of Aqaba and the neighbouring Israeli port of Eilat, missed their targets and slammed into a warehouse and a Jordanian military hospital.

An Al Qaeda-linked group, the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, claimed responsibility for the attack in an Internet statement. The same group claimed responsibility for attacks in three Egyptian Red Sea resorts during the past year, which killed over a 100 people.

Although the group's claims have not been authenticated, the latest attack is a worrying development. Until last year the area around the Red Sea, including Egypt's Sinai resorts, had been regarded as a safe haven for tourists and regional visitors who have been returning in droves to Aqaba throughout recent years.

But after the latest string of attacks, it is now clear that this is no longer the case, and that extremists retain the capability to attack Jordan's interests and those of our regional neighbours.

To be sure, this was not the first time that people affiliated with Al Qaeda have attempted to target the Kingdom.

The country's security forces have foiled several previous attempts by extremists to undermine the security and safety of our people.

But as the latest attack proves, our security services alone cannot be expected to tackle the scourge of terrorism. Despite their best efforts, the fact remains that whoever was responsible for the attack succeeded in smuggling 1.5 metre Katyusha rockets into the Kingdom.

They could therefore have equally smuggled large amounts of explosives into the country and turned them against so-called “soft targets” such as hotels or restaurants.

For this reason it is imperative that security forces in the region cooperate and freely exchange information on known extremists and their sympathisers.

Citizens must also take up the challenge and assist the security forces in their attempts to defeat terrorism. Any suspicious activity must be reported to the concerned authorities.

No terrorists can operate in isolation and ultimately it is the citizens that have the greatest role to play in defeating this scourge.

The Kingdom's achievements over the past years in terms of economic growth, attracting foreign investment and rebuilding our tourism industry are all hinged on the country's secure and stable environment.

We must by all means maintain this situation for the future security and prosperity of our children and ourselves.

Security is the key to economic development, the key to building a more prosperous Jordan and the key to providing the youth of our country with a brighter future. Now is the time to wake up and band together to defeat the enemies of peace in our midst.

Sunday, August 21, 2005