Saturday, February 04, 2012

Here Comes the "Jordanian Spring"?

And, on the other side of the Jordan River, at a traffic circle called the "Eighth"...

Clashes broke out on Friday between security forces and supporters of a former deputy who was arrested Thursday on charges of “undermining the regime”, as pro-reformers cancelled a planned protest in the capital.

Relatives of former MP Ahmad Oweidi Abbadi converged on the eighth circle Friday evening to hold an open-ended sit-in shortly after a rally at the tribe’s nearby diwan in support of the ultranationalist activist, who was arrested late Thursday following his public call last month for the establishment of a “Jordanian Republic.”

Upon their arrival, Abbadi's supporters clashed with anti-riot forces who had cordoned off the Eighth Circle - a vital west Amman intersection and, according to eye witnesses, used use tear gas to disperse the protesters.

Following the clashes, Abbadi supporters attempted to close the intersection by setting fire to trash cans, damaging nearby commercial outlets in the process, according to a Public Security Department (PSD) statement...nine persons were arrested for attempting to close the intersection and their involvement in the clashes, which left “several” security officers and policemen injured...pro-reformers in the governorates continued their protest-drive, with dozens of leftist and independent activists leading marches in Salt, Karak, Maan and Tafileh.

Under the slogan “we will not give up on reform,” dozens of activists in the southern cities in Karak and Maan protested against recent decision to raise electricity tariffs and called for an end to corruption.

We'll keep an eye out for developments.

After all, eventual unification of all the regions of the Land of Israel is an option.


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