Jordan Security Forces Hunt Suspected Militants, 7 Killed in Clashes

Local Editor

Jordanian security forces killed several extremist militants, while one police officer was shot dead during a manhunt Tuesday that involved hundreds of troops in the northern city of Irbid, near the border with Syria, security sources said.

According to reports, at least seven people had been killed as clashes erupted between Jordanian security forces and armed assailants in the northern city of Irbid.

Riot police and Special Forces took part in the operation, which a security official described as one of the largest sweeps against sleeper cells of sympathizers of hardline Takfiri extremist groups in recent years.

Another security source said the troops and helicopters were deployed mainly in a Palestinian refugee camp in the heart of the city where most of the wanted fugitives were holed up.

Although Jordan did not confirm the targets, it described the assailants as "fugitive outlaws" and said that security forces had killed a number of them and wounded several others.

Howeve, at least three members of the security forces were wounded. The Jordanian Interior Ministry later added that one security officer was killed.

In parallel, state television quoted officials as saying the operation was continuing in the city, some 20 km south of the border.

Reports, meanwhile, said that the assailants were suspected "ISIS" militants.

Furthermore, witnesses reported hearing intermittent gunfire, and roads leading to the area were sealed off by police.

Amman had tried and sentenced dozens of militants who returned from Syria, some of whom were recruited by Syria's al-Qaeda offshoot al-Nusra Front or "ISIS" group.

It also arrested dozens of sympathizers who show support for the group on social media.

It was not immediately clear which group the militants being sought represented. One source said they were suspected of being from "ISIS"; another did not specify.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team