War on Gaza drives rise in terrorism, border threats in Jordan

AMMAN — The ongoing war in Gaza has negatively impacted Jordan’s security stability in 2024, with four terrorist incidents occurring inside the Kingdom and at its border crossings, according to a study by the Shorufat Centre for Globalisation and Terrorism Studies (SCGTS).

The study, based on the 2024 Global Terrorism Index, revealed that Jordan ranked 75th out of 163 countries in global terrorism rankings, dropping from its 68th position in 2023.

The SCGTS study noted that Jordan had experienced 172 terrorist incidents, including 30 failed attempts, from 1921 to the end of 2024. Of these, 34 incidents were attributed to unknown entities.

“The effects of the Gaza war have heightened security concerns, especially in securing borders, monitoring protests, and managing public gatherings in the Kingdom,” SCGTS founder and chairman Brig. Gen. Saud Sharafat said..

Sharafat explained that the Gaza war was a significant factor behind the four security incidents reported in 2024 within Jordan and its borders.

Sharafat, who served in the General Intelligence Department until 2016, said the centre had conducted seven studies on terrorism in Jordan. 

“The centre decided to conduct the index studies for Jordan because we do not have specialised studies in this field,” according to Sharafat.

The centre based its studies on terrorism incidents and trends in Jordan quantitatively and scientifically, Sharafat told The Jordan Times.

He added that the centre “closely monitors the regional incidents, including new trends or developments and offers results and conclusions to the regional and national decision-makers”.

Sharafat pointed out that the year 2024 continued to witness “new types of smuggling methods at the Jordanian-Syrian border, such as drones, missiles and explosives”.

He added that these methods “constitute an environment for the recruitment and funding of terrorist groups and sleeper cells, while also facilitating the execution of plans by lone wolves”. 

“There are many global indicators that prove a positive correlation between terrorism and illicit operations such as arms and drug smuggling, as well as organised crimes on border areas,” he added.

He also said that social media platforms continue to play a major role in “spreading terrorist ideologies and work to recruit individuals to join terrorist groups”.

Established in 2015, the SCGTS mandate includes conducting studies, security and strategic consultations, analysis, intelligence services, geopolitical studies, as well as asylum and immigration issues.