Hundreds in Jordan Demand US Troop Withdrawal Amid Rising Iranian Attacks
In Jordan, hundreds of public figures, lawyers, and political activists signed an open letter last week calling for the removal of American military forces from the kingdom. The signatories warned that the US military presence undermines Jordanian sovereignty and risks dragging the country into regional conflicts it is not party to. This protest comes amid escalating Iranian attacks targeting US forces and facilities in Jordan, including missile and drone strikes in recent weeks that triggered nationwide alarms.
Currently, around 4,000 US troops are stationed at several bases in Jordan. Since the US and Israel launched their campaign against Iran in late February, Tehran has retaliated with strikes against Israel and Washington’s regional allies, including Jordan. These hostilities have also damaged Jordan’s tourism sector, which accounts for up to 18% of national revenue, worsening an already fragile economy burdened by high unemployment and resource shortages.
Despite the escalation, the Jordanian government has shown no indication of reconsidering its alliance with the United States, largely due to its heavy dependence on American aid. Last year, the US provided Jordan with $1.65 billion in economic and military assistance. Political activist Soufian Al-Tal, 90, who signed the letter, emphasized the gap between the government’s pro-US stance and widespread public opposition. He criticized the government’s use of Jordanian resources to protect Israel and warned that the US presence endangers Jordanian citizens, citing risks from Iranian missile debris intercepted by US defense systems.
Since the letter’s publication, hundreds more have joined despite potential repercussions, including imprisonment. The issue sparked heated debate in Jordan’s parliament, where some lawmakers condemned US forces for civilian casualties. However, public opinion remains difficult to gauge due to censorship and the risks of expressing dissent. Analysts note most signatories are affiliated with leftist, pan-Arab, or Islamist groups. Jordanian media largely avoided publishing the letter, reflecting government restrictions on free expression.
In 2023, Jordan enacted strict laws against spreading false news and threatening social peace, which have been used to suppress journalists and critics. The government also banned the Muslim Brotherhood last year, accusing it of plotting attacks, and raided the Islamic Action Front party headquarters, the Brotherhood’s political wing. Author Aharon Megid described the letter as a bold challenge to Jordan’s security policy and its key US partnership, noting the government’s history of prosecuting critics of its alliances.
