Jordan marks Karamah Day, remembers fallen heroes

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), on Tuesday acted as patron at a ceremony to mark the 49th anniversary of the Karamah Battle.

The ceremony was held at the Unknown Soldier Monument in the Jordan Valley, where the battle took place. 

On March 21, 1968, Jordanian soldiers repelled an Israeli attack on the small Karamah town in the Jordan Valley, whose name means "dignity".

Eighty-six Jordanian soldiers lost their lives in the battle and 108 were wounded.

The Israeli raid was repelled with heavy losses as the Jordanian army launched an artillery barrage against Israeli tanks.

A total of 250 Israeli soldiers were killed and 450 wounded, according to official sources.

Arriving at the ceremony site, the King was received with a military reception that included a 21-gun salute. Prime Minister and Defence Minister Hani Mulki and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat accompanied him.

He was received at the site by several Royal family members, senior officials and former military and security senior officers.
King Abdullah inspected the guard of honour and laid a wreath of flowers on the memorial.

The King and the ceremony’s attendees recited Fatiha (the opening chapter of Koran) upon the souls of the fallen soldiers and the JAF music band played Taps.

His Majesty passed in front of the engraved names of the soldiers who lost their lives in the battle and their pictures, as well as their unit colours.

On the Royal Court’s Facebook page, King Abdullah said: “Today we remember the battle of Karamah, the heroism and sacrifice of the Jordanian Armed Forces-Arab Army, the army of the Great Arab Revolt that raised the Jordanian banner high through their faith and determination.” 

HRH Crown Prince Hussein wrote on Instagram: “Today, as we remember the victorious Karamah Battle, we honour the martyrs and the heroes who sacrificed for the nation #OurJordan.”  

Several public and private departments and institutions across the Kingdom also celebrated the anniversary, coupled with marking Mother’s Day, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.