KERAK, Jordan – Security forces armed with assault rifles broke out in the home of one of the most prominent families in Jordan’s al-Majali tribe here in the Dead Sea clan homeland. They snatched Yasser al-Majali, a retired army colonel who worked for the royal family, and dragged him away.
The April 3 arrest of Mr. Majali and other notable tribal figures – in what Jordanian officials characterize as an effort to eliminate a plot to eventually replace King Abdullah II’s king with his younger brother, Prince Hamzah bin Hussein – sows unrest in a part of the central society for stability.
The traditional tribes of Jordan have long provided crucial support to the Hashemite leaders of the Middle East kingdom, with members serving in the army, police and intelligence services. And some took to the streets denouncing the treatment of their members.
In an apparent sign of proximity, the palace released a photo on Sunday showing Prince Hamzah participating with King Abdullah and other members of the royal family in an event marking the 100th anniversary of the monarchy. But last week’s upheaval could continue to flow through Jordanian society.
At a rally on Saturday in the Jordanian capital’s Shafa Badran district, members of the Anatized tribe demanded the release of one of them, a retired lieutenant colonel who served as one of Prince Hamzah’s guards.