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Jordan officers killed in attack at Baqaa camp near Amman | Jordan officers killed in attack at Baqaa camp near Amman |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Five people have been killed in an attack on Jordanian intelligence officers at a Palestinian refugee camp on the outskirts of the capital, Amman, government officials say. | Five people have been killed in an attack on Jordanian intelligence officers at a Palestinian refugee camp on the outskirts of the capital, Amman, government officials say. |
They described the incident, rare in Jordan, as a "terrorist attack". | They described the incident, rare in Jordan, as a "terrorist attack". |
Three of the five people killed were intelligence officers, the officials said. | Three of the five people killed were intelligence officers, the officials said. |
The attack took place at the sprawling Baqaa camp north of Amman at about 07:00 local time (04:00 GMT). | The attack took place at the sprawling Baqaa camp north of Amman at about 07:00 local time (04:00 GMT). |
The Baqaa camp was one of six set up in 1968 for Palestinian refugees fleeing the West Bank and Gaza Strip as a result of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. | The Baqaa camp was one of six set up in 1968 for Palestinian refugees fleeing the West Bank and Gaza Strip as a result of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. |
Inside Jordan's fight against extremism | Inside Jordan's fight against extremism |
Jordan is a key member of the US-led coalition fighting so-called Islamic State in neighbouring Syria and Iraq, and its air force has carried out strikes in both countries. | Jordan is a key member of the US-led coalition fighting so-called Islamic State in neighbouring Syria and Iraq, and its air force has carried out strikes in both countries. |
No-one has yet said they carried out the Baqaa attack. | No-one has yet said they carried out the Baqaa attack. |
'Criminal behaviour' | 'Criminal behaviour' |
Jordanian government spokesman Mohammed Momani said the "cowardly" attack targeted the intelligence agency office at the camp. | Jordanian government spokesman Mohammed Momani said the "cowardly" attack targeted the intelligence agency office at the camp. |
He gave no details of the attack but said it was carried out by those with the "criminal behaviour of people who are outside of our religion". | He gave no details of the attack but said it was carried out by those with the "criminal behaviour of people who are outside of our religion". |
Mr Momani said two of those killed were a guard and a telephone exchange operator. | Mr Momani said two of those killed were a guard and a telephone exchange operator. |
A security source later told AFP news agency that initial findings suggested the attack was carried out by a lone gunman with an automatic weapon. | |
The attack took place on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. | The attack took place on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. |
In March, Jordan said it had foiled planned attacks by so-called Islamic State when a military raid in the city of Irbid left seven suspected jihadist militants dead. | In March, Jordan said it had foiled planned attacks by so-called Islamic State when a military raid in the city of Irbid left seven suspected jihadist militants dead. |
The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) says Baqaa is the largest camp in Jordan. | The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) says Baqaa is the largest camp in Jordan. |
It is believed to house more than 100,000 refugees. | It is believed to house more than 100,000 refugees. |
UNRWA says the camp continues to face major challenges, including unemployment, poverty and the need for structural repair. | UNRWA says the camp continues to face major challenges, including unemployment, poverty and the need for structural repair. |
Jordan is also a major host of refugees from the Syrian civil conflict, caring for 635,000 of the 4.6 million Syrians the UN has registered. | Jordan is also a major host of refugees from the Syrian civil conflict, caring for 635,000 of the 4.6 million Syrians the UN has registered. |
More than 80,000 Syrians live in Jordan's second largest refugee camp, Zaatari. | More than 80,000 Syrians live in Jordan's second largest refugee camp, Zaatari. |
Earlier this year, King Abdullah said his country was at "boiling point" because of the influx. | Earlier this year, King Abdullah said his country was at "boiling point" because of the influx. |