(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — For the first time, the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), led by the United States, will open its first liaison office in the Middle East, located in Amman, the capital of Jordan.
According to a statement from the Jordanian government, the establishment of NATO’s first liaison office in the Middle East in Jordan is the result of close cooperation and strategic relations between the Arab nation and the US-led military alliance.
The decision to open NATO’s first liaison office in the Middle East in Jordan was made during the alliance’s summit in Washington, marking its 75th anniversary.
“NATO acknowledges the significant role Jordan plays in achieving regional and international stability and commends its comprehensive efforts in combating cross-border threats such as terrorism and violent extremism.”
“The NATO office in Jordan will contribute to enhanced dialogue and cooperation in areas of mutual interest between NATO and Jordan.”
“The presence of NATO’s office in Amman, Jordan, follows three decades of deep cooperation, particularly through the NATO Mediterranean Dialogue,” NATO said in a statement.
NATO and Jordan have maintained military and security relations over the past three decades, primarily through the NATO Mediterranean Dialogue established by NATO in 1994.
Several NATO countries, particularly the United States, have military bases in Jordan established through various military agreements.
According to the US Department of State’s website, the United States is the largest USAID donor to Jordan, providing various forms of assistance, including military aid amounting to USD $425 million (RM2 billion) annually.
The relationship between Jordan, led by its royal family, and NATO, particularly the United States, is well known among the people of Jordan and the broader Middle East.
However, Jordan’s close ties with NATO and the United States have faced criticism not only from local citizens but also from Arabs across the region.
In April, Jordan’s decision to order its fighter jets to shoot down missiles and drones launched by Iran toward Israel drew harsh criticism from the Arab and Islamic world.
Reports indicated that Jordan not only directed its fighter jets to intercept and destroy Iranian missiles and drones targeting Israel, but Amman also “opened” its airspace to Israeli and US fighter jets to shoot down the projectiles launched by Tehran.
Jordan’s “generosity” in allowing Israeli and US jets to use its airspace was aimed at ensuring that Iranian missiles and drones were destroyed over Jordanian territory before reaching Israel.
Many Arabs and Muslims worldwide were shocked by Jordan’s actions, viewing the country as “defending” Israel at a time when the Benjamin Netanyahu-led regime was killing more than 33,000 Palestinians through its military actions in Gaza.
While the local population in Jordan supports the Palestinian struggle for freedom from Israeli occupation, the Jordanian government has taken strict measures against pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
More than 1,000 Jordanians have been detained by authorities for participating in pro-Palestinian protests.
Facing intense criticism from the Arab and Islamic world for “defending and protecting” Israel, perceived as a “betrayal” of the Palestinian people, the Jordanian government had to issue a statement to clarify its position.
The Jordanian government stated that its decision to order fighter jets to shoot down Iranian missiles and drones and open its airspace was a self-defense measure and not intended to aid Israel.
The government explained that the Iranian missiles and drones entering its airspace en route to Israel were intercepted to prevent endangering its citizens and densely populated areas in Jordan.
Despite the broad support among Jordanians for the Palestinian cause, their government maintains strong military ties with the “principal protector of Israel,” the United States.
Apart from Egypt, Jordan is among the Arab countries receiving the most military aid from the United States annually.
US fighter jets and armed drones are frequently stationed at Jordanian airbases like Muwaffaq Salti Air Base.
Additionally, the US military has a secret base in Jordan called “Tower 22” in Rukban, Rwaished district, near the country’s borders with Syria and Iraq.
According to previous media reports, an estimated 350 US ground and air forces are stationed at “Tower 22.”
“Tower 22” is also close to another US military base in Al-Tanf, on the Syria-Iraq-Jordan border.
Washington uses the Al-Tanf base to train Syrian armed groups aligned with it to fight the Daesh terrorist group. — DSA