Jordan bans Muslim Brotherhood over alleged plot to destabilise kingdom

Jordan cracks down on Muslim Brotherhood, citing national security threats and weapon stockpiling.

Protesters wave Jordanian national flags and Muslim Brotherhood flags during a rally in Amman in support of Palestinians, on January 27, 2023, following a deadly Israeli raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. Photo by Khalil Mazraawi/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Jordan has formally banned the Muslim Brotherhood, a powerful and long-standing Islamist organisation, after accusing it of plotting acts of sabotage and manufacturing weapons with the intent to destabilise the country. The decision marks a critical escalation in Jordan's efforts to suppress groups it deems as threats to national security and signals the end of decades of tolerance toward the transnational movement.

Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that the government has now officially outlawed all activities of the Muslim Brotherhood. The move comes after Jordanian intelligence services arrested 16 individuals, including known members of the Brotherhood, in connection with what authorities say was a foiled sabotage plan.

“It has been decided to ban all activities of the so-called Muslim Brotherhood and to consider any activity carried out by it a violation of the provisions of the law,” said Faraya in a televised statement. He also confirmed the immediate closure of any offices associated with the group, regardless of whether they operated in collaboration with other entities.

The decision to ban the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan—a group that has historically enjoyed a measure of public support and political influence—has drawn significant attention across the Middle East. It comes at a time of heightened regional tensions, particularly amid the ongoing war in Gaza, which the Brotherhood has repeatedly addressed through public rallies and statements in support of the Palestinians.

From tolerance to crackdown

Despite a 2020 ruling by Jordan’s highest court that dissolved the Brotherhood, the group had continued to operate, with authorities previously taking a more lenient approach. This tolerance allowed the Brotherhood’s political wing, the Islamic Action Front, to remain active. The party emerged as the largest opposition group in Jordan’s 2020 parliamentary elections, securing 31 of 138 seats.

However, the arrests announced on April 15 appear to have pushed the government to take more aggressive action. Intelligence officials accused the detainees of manufacturing and stockpiling weapons—including rockets—and preparing to use them against the state. Authorities also reported discovering covert facilities for missile production, as well as training and recruitment operations in residential areas.

While the Brotherhood has denied any knowledge of or involvement in such plots, Jordanian officials have insisted the evidence points to a clear threat. Faraya stated that the group was “operating in the shadows” and participating in activities designed to “undermine stability and security.”

“No country can accept such actions,” the minister said, adding that the group’s operations involved moving explosives between cities and storing them in populated neighborhoods, posing serious risks to civilians.

Legal, financial, and media consequences

In addition to the outright ban, Jordan will now move to seize the Brotherhood’s assets. According to Faraya, the confiscation will be carried out in accordance with relevant judicial rulings. Furthermore, he warned that promoting the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood—or maintaining membership in the organisation—would be considered a criminal act.

“All collaboration with the Muslim Brotherhood is banned,” Faraya said, also announcing a prohibition on publishing or disseminating any content from the group or its affiliated organisations.

The scope of the ban has yet to be fully defined, particularly concerning whether it extends to the Islamic Action Front. However, in a recent parliamentary session, several lawmakers demanded not only a formal ban on Brotherhood-linked groups but also the suspension of sitting MPs affiliated with the Islamic Action Front.

The Brotherhood’s response and public perception

The Muslim Brotherhood responded to the accusations by distancing itself from the alleged sabotage plans. The group claimed the arrests were related to isolated individuals and reiterated its longstanding support for Jordan’s sovereignty and internal security.

The Brotherhood also emphasised that its activities were primarily focused on advocating for Palestinian rights and Islamic values. The group has held numerous rallies in Amman since the Gaza war escalated in October 2023, further fueling its prominence in public discourse.

Still, authorities appear to believe that these activities mask more dangerous intentions. In Faraya’s view, the Brotherhood has crossed a line by allegedly facilitating the movement of weapons and planning acts of sabotage. The group’s purported use of residential areas for storing arms and conducting training suggests a level of organisation that the government deems intolerable.

Historical context: a troubled relationship

Jordan’s relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood has shifted dramatically over the years. The group, founded in Egypt in 1928, established a presence in Jordan in the 1940s and was initially seen as a partner in promoting Islamic values and education. Over time, however, its increasing involvement in politics and its opposition to state policies placed it at odds with the monarchy.

In 2014, the government ruled that the group’s licence had not been properly renewed under new legislation, rendering it technically illegal. The Brotherhood argued that its legal status was secured under earlier laws, and it continued its activities regardless. Relations further deteriorated when the government authorised a splinter faction—known as the Muslim Brotherhood Association—to operate legally, effectively undermining the original group.

Despite these tensions, the Brotherhood retained grassroots support, particularly among conservative and religious communities. Its role in Jordanian politics, especially through the Islamic Action Front, allowed it to maintain influence even as its legal standing weakened.

Parliament backs the ban

In response to the Interior Ministry’s announcement, Ahmad Safadi, the speaker of Jordan’s lower house of parliament, voiced strong support for the decision. Safadi stated that no group or movement should operate outside the rule of law, adding that the legislature would support all steps taken to protect the kingdom’s stability.

“Jordan respects the rule of law, and no entity is outside the authority and power of the state,” Safadi said. “We stand behind every measure that ensures our nation remains secure in the face of suspicious attempts directed from abroad.”

His statement underscores the government’s determination to portray the crackdown as a necessary act of sovereignty, rather than an attack on political opposition or religious activism.

Regional implications and international reactions

Jordan’s decision to ban the Muslim Brotherhood aligns with similar moves in other Arab countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, which have all outlawed the group, labelling it a terrorist organisation. However, Jordan had long resisted joining that trend, opting instead for cautious coexistence.

The latest developments suggest that Amman is no longer willing to walk that fine line. The allegations of weapons manufacturing and sabotage indicate a perceived existential threat that has forced the government’s hand.

It remains to be seen how the international community will respond, particularly Western allies who have historically viewed Jordan as a stable partner in a volatile region. Some human rights organisations may express concerns over freedom of association and expression, especially if the crackdown affects non-violent political actors.

Nonetheless, Jordan’s leadership appears to be betting that security imperatives will outweigh such concerns, particularly given the regional instability sparked by the Gaza war and broader tensions in the Middle East.