King attends army celebration

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, on Wednesday attended the ceremony the armed forces organised on the occasions of His Majesty’s 16th coronation anniversary, Arab Revolt anniversary and Army Day.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff and the King's Military Adviser Gen. Mashal Al Zaben delivered a speech at the ceremony, held at Al Hussein Youth City’s Palace of Culture, where he congratulated the King on these occasions on behalf of all JAF personnel.

Zaben also said that JAF have always been prepared and capable of defending the country, its people and leadership, adding that the military has always been on the front line defending Arabs, especially in the wars for Palestine.

JAF personnel are prepared to respond to threats to national security, regardless of the source, the army chief reiterated.

He also praised the recent Royal directives to reconsider JAF officers’ military career path, and provide the youth with the opportunity to join the army to serve the country and defend its soil, in a step aimed at enhancing JAF’s abilities and upgrading the skills of its members.

Zaben added that the country and JAF have been dealing with formidable challenges, especially when neighbours lose control over their borders, rendering border areas vulnerable to extremist and terrorist groups.

He also emphasised that JAF will not hesitate in dealing with any threat to the country’s security, even if it was outside the borders, if necessary, “which is a legitimate right to defend ourselves”.

The ceremony also included screening documentaries on the Great Arab Revolt and JAF’s history and efforts to protect the country and assist Arabs who suffered wars and humanitarian crises. 

During the event, King Abdullah bestowed the Military Merit Medal of the Second Order on Col. Mohammad Raqqad and the Military Merit Medal of the Third Order on Maj. Samah Tawalbeh, doctors with the Royal Medical Services, for their discovery of a new genetic disease that was named “Raqqad Syndrome”. 

The King also bestowed the Independence Medal of the Second Order on the family of martyred pilot Col. Ibrahim Hassouneh, and the Sacrifice Medal of the Special Order on the family of martyred pilot Capt. Muath Kasasbeh.

Several Royal family members and senior civil and military officials attended the ceremony.