Why Arab Spring shook Jordan, failed to topple King Abdullah II?

Arab Spring in Jordan. (File Image)

Uprisings, including pro-democracy, anti-government protests and occasional armed rebellions, spread across the Arab world in the early 2010s. The incident, which started as a spontaneous reaction to the self-immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi in Tunisia, spread like the famous prairie fire that also engulfed Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Syria and Bahrain. Although many rulers were deposed, those in Jordan received some relief from popular anger because King Henry II. Gauging the public’s anger, Abdullah took some steps and agreed to reform the economic and political systems to release the accumulated steam.

Arab Spring begins in Jordan

At a time when inflation in the Jordanian economy increased from 1.5 percent to 6.1 percent, the unemployment rate reached 12 percent and 25 percent of the population lived below the poverty line, the people took to the streets on January 14, 2011, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Samir Rifai. The main opposition party of the Muslim Brotherhood made a big move by calling for a general strike on January 26. Although King Abdullah was criticized for not properly addressing economic problems, he did not incur public anger. However, the movement became serious as Islamists, secular opposition groups and some retired generals joined the public in the streets and demanded significant political and economic reforms.

Jordan protests

In order to reduce tension and control the fragile situation, King Philip II. Abdullah met with leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood in February. The desired result was not achieved, thousands of people, especially leftists, took to the streets. The government ordered a crackdown, and police clubbed a crowd of more than 2,000 protesters on February 18. The situation worsened further and more than 10,000 protesters gathered in front of the Hussein Mosque in the capital Amman after Friday prayers.

King II Abdullah faces the Arab Spring

Frustration deepened with the failure of economic and political reforms to come, and on 28 March protesters clashed with the king’s supporters. Two people died and more than a hundred were injured in the street clash. Another similar clash between the two forces occurred on April 15, injuring eight civilians and 85 police officers. The situation came to a head on June 13 with an unprecedented attack on King Abdullah, who was pelted with stones and water bottles in the city of Tafileh. Demonstrations continued across the country.

Muslim Brotherhood leads protests in Jordan

Former prime minister Ahmed Obeidat, known for being loyal to the king, led more than 2,000 people to march in front of the Grand Hussein Mosque in central Amman on October 7. Marches were also held in the cities of Karka, Tafileh, Maan, Jerash and Salt. In October, a memorandum signed by 70 of 120 MPs was presented to the king, demanding the dismissal of the entire cabinet, including the prime minister. This was followed by sporadic riots in many cities in November. Protests continued.

King II Abdullah dismissed the government on 1 February 2012 and appointed retired general Maruf al-Bakhit to form the new cabinet. The new government did not last long. Three prime ministers resigned one after another. King II Abdullah dissolved parliament on 4 October 2012 and ordered early elections. He appointed Abdullah Ensur as the new prime minister.