By Mohammad Ben Hussein, Jordan Times

Pro-reform activists take part in a demonstration in downtown Amman on Friday (Reuters photo by Ali Jarekji)

AMMAN – Political parties on Saturday condemned an attack on protesters in the southern city of Karak on Friday, accusing security forces and the government of sponsoring thugs who carried out the assaults.

At least eight people were injured when a group of men wielding sticks and knives attacked the protesters.

The protest was spearheaded by the youth division of the National Unity Party under the motto: “Friday of sovereignty”.

Ali Abul Sukkar, president of the shura council at the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, claimed that the attack meant to send a strong message to pro-reform groups and accused the government of “collaborating with the attackers.

“The government is capable of arresting any criminal, but only if it wishes to do so. I believe these attackers are being protected by the government and other parties,” he charged.

Abul Sukkar said the attack was designed to “terrorise activists and stop them from pressing for reform”.

“We noticed police stood in the area without interfering. I believe the two sides collaborated to target protesters,” he told The Jordan Times, noting that an activist from the IAF was among the injured.