Jordan is safe despite security warnings — US embassy

AMMAN — Despite security warnings for US citizens in the region, including Jordan, the US embassy in Amman on Saturday said the Kingdom remains safe and secure.

The embassy said it sent warning messages to US citizens in Jordan to remind them that terrorist organisations had spoken of their desire to execute attacks that could target the US, embassy spokesperson Eric Barbee told the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

He said the threats prompted the embassy to issue these warnings to US citizens to take maximum levels of vigilance, although the embassy had no information about any specific threats to Americans at this point in time, according to Petra.

The embassy said that within the last year, Jordanian authorities have notified the US embassy of several disrupted terrorist plots targeting US citizens and Westerners, adding that in each case, those responsible have been arrested by Jordanian security services, and investigations are ongoing. 

In a statement, the embassy said it has no information of any current, specific threats against Americans at this time.  However, it reminded US citizens that “extremist organisations have expressed a desire to conduct attacks targeting US and Western visitors in Jordan”.

Many of these threats involve assailants seeking targets of opportunity.  Therefore, the embassy advised US citizens planning to visit Jordan to only stay at hotels with a visible security presence, such as uniformed guards and screening apparatus.  

Larger hotels, particularly those affiliated with major US and international hotel chains, are more likely to have such measures in place, it explained. 

In addition, US citizens were strongly encouraged to be aware of local events, take appropriate steps to bolster their personal security and report suspicious behaviour or activities to local authorities immediately.