SCGTS underscores absence of terrorism in Jordan in 2023

AMMAN — The Kingdom did not witness any attempted or executed terrorist attacks in 2023, according to the study released by the Shorufat Centre for Globalisation and Terrorism Studies (SCGTS) about the terrorism incidents in Jordan and the Kingdom’s worldwide ranking. 

Based on the 2023 Global Terrorism Index, Jordan ranked in the 68th position among 163 countries, marking a shift from its 58th position in 2022. According to the SCGTS study, the Kingdom witnessed 168 terrorist incidents, including 30 failed attempts, from 1921 to the end of 2023, adding that 34 of the 168 incidents that occurred in the Kingdom since 1921 were conducted by unknown entities.

“We have been conducting studies on the terrorism index in Jordan for the past 6 years,” the centre’s founder and chairman Brig. Gen. Saud Sharafat said.

Sharafat, who served in the General Intelligence Department until 2016, added that the centre decided to conduct the index studies for Jordan “because we do not have specialised studies in this field”. 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 2023 witnessed “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.

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.