AMMAN Ñ Jordanian troops have clashed with thousands of
supporters of Islamic militants during a widescale search operation in response to the assassination of a U.S. diplomat last month.
At least four people, including a police commander, were killed in a
firefight between Jordanian special forces and Islamic gunmen in the
southern city of Ma'an. Another 20 people were injured, half of them
security officers.
The troops encountered hundreds of gunmen who tried to prevent the
arrest of a mlitant believed linked to the assassination of a U.S. diplomat
on Oct. 28. The Jordanian task force was composed of military special
operations troops and police commandos Ñ backed by armored vehicles, Middle East Newsline reported.
"The gang had persistently violated the law, terrorized citizens and
committed various crimes against them," Jordanian Information Minister
Mohammed Adwan said in a statement.
Ma'an has served as a haven for Iraqi-supported insurgents. Many in the
city trade in goods smuggled to and from Iraq. The weekend raid was the
second large-scale operation by the military in Ma'an so far this year.
Officials said the raid was prompted by the assassination of a U.S.
diplomat last month and the refusal by community leaders in Ma'an to hand
over 50 fugitives in the city. The leading fugitive has been
identified as Mohammed Chalabi, known as Abu Sayaf.
Abu Sayaf was injured and escaped in a gun battle with police last
month. He has challenged Jordanian authorities to try to capture him.
Chalabi is said to have escaped Ma'an for the surrounding hills.
So far, officials said, at least 20 fugitives were captured and
automatic weapons were seized. Many of
them are believed to be pro-Iraqi insurgents. None of those captured
included the three leading fugitives on the Jordanian list.
In another development, Jordanian troops shot and killed a gunman who
tried to infiltrate Israel. The official Petra news agency said the
infiltrator threw a grenade toward a Jordanian patrol in the northern part
of the kingdom.
