AMMAN — Thousands of supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood took to the streets of the capital in a show of force on Friday to protest against what they claimed was a security “crackdown” on pro-reform activists.

Young Muslim Brotherhood members march in seemingly military formations during a protest in downtown Amman on Friday (Photo by Raad Adayleh)

Following noon prayers, some 3,000 supporters of the movement rallied in downtown Amman to protest authorities’ handling of an Islamist-led demonstration in the northern city of Irbid last week which ended in violence.

Young Brotherhood members marched in what appeared to be military formations.

Participants denounced the arrest of Islamists following the Irbid rally, chanting, “We are not afraid of arrests” and “The people demand the downfall of the General Intelligence Department.”

They also called on Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour to resign over the incident and for the formation of a national salvation government comprising opposition figures to “save Jordan from corruption”.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Islamists and leftists returned to the site of the ill-fated rally in Irbid that ended with injuries among activists, security personnel and counter-protesters.

In a so-called “day of refusal”, some 2,000 activists vowed to continue pro-reform protests in the city, 80km north of Amman, chanting, “We are not afraid of your thugs… we will continue,” according to eyewitnesses.

Violence erupted in last week’s Irbid rally after security forces used tear gas to prevent Islamists from clashing with a rival protest, leading to the injury of Islamist MP and former overall Brotherhood leader Salem Falahat.

Security forces defended their use of force to prevent widespread violence, noting that several police officers were injured in the clashes.

Also on Friday, hundreds of pro-reform activists rallied in the cities of Zarqa, Karak and Tafileh, calling for the dissolution of Parliament and the introduction of elected governments.

The reported dispatch of US military advisers to Jordan was also a focal point of the protests, with activists chanting, “No to foreign forces on Jordanian soil” and “No to foreign agendas”, eyewitnesses said.

According to the Jordan Armed Forces, 200 US troops will be arriving in Jordan soon to participate in the annual “Eager Lion” international military exercise, but Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani said the US forces will help counter any chemical threat from Syria.

Friday’s rally marked the Brotherhood’s largest showing in weekly pro-reform protests in nearly three months.

SOURCE: JORDAN TIMES