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Jordan raid said to be targeting militants kills 5 Jordan raid targeting suspected militants kills 8
(about 3 hours later)
AMMAN, Jordan — Officials say a Jordanian security officer and four wanted men were killed in raids reportedly targeting militants in Jordan’s third largest city. AMMAN, Jordan — A government spokesman confirmed Wednesday that an arrest raid and shootout in Jordan’s third largest city targeted a militant group.
Troops and wanted men exchanged fire late Tuesday in several areas in the city of Irbid. Suspects were holed up in one building. Gunfire could be heard in amateur videos posted online. Mohammed Momani told state media that the operation late Tuesday in the city of Irbid left eight dead, including seven wanted men and a member of the Jordanian security forces.
In a statement Wednesday, Jordan’s Public Security Directorate described those being targeted as “outlaws” but did not elaborate. Several local media outlets described them as suspected militants. The target of the raid was a “terrorist group,” Momani told The Associated Press in a text message. He did not elaborate. Previous statements by the security forces had only referred to the wanted men as “outlaws.”
The statement of the security forces says one fugitive was arrested, and that an officer and four wanted men were killed. Pro-Western Jordan is part of a U.S.-led military coalition against the extremist Islamic State group in neighboring Syria and Iraq.
Pro-Western Jordan is part of a U.S.-led military coalition against the Islamic State group, an extremist group based in neighboring Syria and Iraq. Jordanian security forces have also cracked down on suspected IS sympathizers in the kingdom. Some of those expressing support for the group on social media have been sentenced to prison.
The operation in downtown Irbid began late Tuesday, with security forces raiding several locations and exchanging fire with the fugitives. In one area, troops surrounded a building where the wanted men were holed up.
Irbid resident Abdullah Nashwan said he heard the sound of shooting, and that security forces cut off power to parts of the city during the raids.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.