Media Reports: Plot to overthrow King Abdullah II (April 2021)

[Rossina]

According to media sources, Jordanian authorities have detained King Abdullah II’s half-brother and others in a foiled coup plot, officials say. Prince Hamzah was placed under restriction at his palace due to a “threat to the country’s stability.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...948_story.html

[Prinsara]

Just reading that. Poor Queen Noor.

[vkrish]

Really? Totally unbelievable. It was such a stable monarchy..supported so well by the extended family. Can't believe Hamza would resort to such a thing!

[Prinsara]

I get the feeling a) we're not going to know exactly what happened for a while, if ever, b) this may end up needing its own thread.

[Somebody]

That's quite explosive news if true (but why would Washington Post publish about it otherwise...). It states that one other royal is involved... I wonder which one. The name 'Sharif Hassan' is mentioned; he is supposedly also a member of the royal family; does anyone know who he might be?

[Rossina]

Originally Posted by Somebody

That's quite explosive news if true (but why would Washington Post publish about it otherwise...). It states that one other royal is involved... I wonder which one.

The other family member is Sharif Hassan Bin Zeid. His brother was killed in a terrorist attack in Afghanistan years ago. I remember KA & QR attended his funeral.

Now, some Jordanian media source have denied that Prince Hamzah has been arrested or placed under house arrest. I hope that the Jordanian authorities will clarify this matter quickly.

[Prinsara]

WaPo hasn't changed any of their story, not even to add the denials. I think we have to go with whoever in Jordanian intelligence spoke to them. The question being, did he want this to get out to benefit Abdullah or (somehow) Hamzah?

[Elektra]

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/j...ntry-stability

If true this is awful.

[Prinsara]

Updated now. "Nearly 20 arrested". "The move followed the discovery of what palace officials described as a complex and far-reaching plot that included at least one other Jordanian royal as well as tribal leaders and members of the country’s security establishment."

[Rossina]

According to Al Arabiya tv, Jordan’s Army chief of staff Major general Yousef Huneiti issued a statement denying reports that former crown Prince Hamza was detained, though he clarified that the military called on the prince to halt activities that could be exploited to jeopardise the kingdom’s security. Meanwhile the director of the prince's office was arrested, as well as his personal escort.

[Marengo]

Is it known what the supposed coup was supposed to achieve?

[Heavs]

Goodness I didn't realise Jordan was in a position where a coup might gain a large scale, high up support.

I hope Prince Hamzah wasn't involved but if the director of his office has been arrested that points to some potential involvement. And it's easy for stories about him feeling angry that he was replaced as Crown Prince to gain traction.

[Prinsara]

"Additional arrests were expected, said the intelligence official."

"Hamzah was informed of the investigation by Jordanian military officers who arrived at his house with an escort of guards as elsewhere arrests were getting underway, the intelligence official said. While not placed under arrest, he was told to refrain from travel and from posting on social media, the intelligence official said.
The arrests of other officials were reported by Jordanian news outlets."

"It was unclear how close the alleged plotters were to carrying out the plan, or what, exactly, was intended. The intelligence official described the plan as “well-organized” and said the plotters appeared to have “foreign ties,” though he did not elaborate."

[Rossina]

Originally Posted by Marengo

Is it known what the supposed coup was supposed to achieve?

In this part of the world, moves of this kind usually aim at replacing the ruler or changing the regime. So far, there is no enough information about Prince Hamzah’s role in what is happening, but what the army COS said about the arrest of the Prince office staff and that he has been called to halt activities that could be exploited to jeopardise the kingdom’s security is a matter of concern in my opinion.

As for the other detainees, news reports said that among them was the minister and former chief of the royal court, Basem Awadallah, who worked as an advisor to King Abdullah II for years and later moved to work in Saudi Arabia as an advisor to it's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. So, the issue is very complicated and may develop further.

[Jacknch]

BBC News has now taken up these events:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-56626370

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Rossina

In this part of the world, moves of this kind usually aim at replacing the ruler or changing the regime. So far, there is no enough information about Prince Hamzah’s role in what is happening, but what the army COS said about the arrest of the Prince office staff and that he has been called to halt activities that could be exploited to jeopardise the kingdom’s security is a matter of concern in my opinion.

As for the other detainees, news reports said that among them was the minister and former chief of the royal court, Basem Awadallah, who worked as an advisor to King Abdullah II for years and later moved to work in Saudi Arabia as an advisor to it's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. So, the issue is very complicated and may develop further.

I guess that Hamzah is the intended successor of the king for those preparing the coup (if true). Does anyone know why they would want to remove Abdullah? Is it something specific that they don't like and/or want to achieve? And would Hamzah be considered a 'pawn' that they can easily control (based on the news so far from Jordan it seems that is how he is treated by the security services; not as one of the main instigators).

[kathia_sophia]

Oh gosh, I am in shock! I always viewed the Royal family of Jordan (and extended family) as a united family, who cared about each other. I never thought that Prince Hamzah would do a dangerous thing such as a coup.


I remember the time when he was the crown prince before KA made his son the crown prince. Perhaps, it left a sour after taste? I read somewhere that Queen Noor wanted her son to be King one day.


EDIT:
I think this deserves a new thread.

[Alisa]

It seems Prince Hamzah and over 19 others were involved in an attempted coup d'etat. Thankfully through military intelligence the plot was foiled.
More to come!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...948_story.html

[Blog Real]

That's terrible! Thankfully, the authorities managed to stop the coup.

[Rossina]

BBC broadcasted a video for Prince Hamzah speaking about what happened today. He said he is under home arrest.