Jordanian Armed Forces

The Jordanian Armed Forces / Arab Army trace its roots back to early 1921 when it was formed from the Great Arab Revolt men who went out with Prince Abdullah bin al-Hussein of the Hejaz for the liberation of the Levant. One of the concerns of the Prince, the founder, is to have an army that protects the land as well as the people of the emirate, especially since the foundation conditions were extremely difficult.

For the organisation of the army, the following configurations were set up: Arab power: which came together with Prince Abdullah bin al-Hussein of the Hejaz and estimated at around 25 officers and 250 soldiers; Infantry Battalion: which includes knights, infantry, artillery, guns and wireless. it is estimated at the number of 750 men; and Security force: whose duty is to maintain security and discipline. it includes the gendarmerie and nomadic, and was annexed in 1923 to the infantry force.

On November 10, 1923, Prince Abdullah Bin Al-Hussein called these forces under the name of (Arab Army), and issued the first law of the army called the (Arab Army Act of 1927). A military unit was formed after that and comprised 120 men. The enumeration of the Armed Forces has reached 6000 men till 1943. In 1941, a maintenance force was formed and in the same year,the medical services began with only one doctor. In 1948, the first Dressing-Station was establishment and followed by the establishment of military hospitals.

Jordan has been under the British Mandate since 1921 and after independence in 1946. The English was taking control over the top positions in the army and in the first of March 1956, his Majesty the late King Hussein Bin Talal, may God have mercy upon him, has taken his decision for the Arabization of the Arab Army command and the disposal of the foreign presence.

In order to better handle the potential threats, Jordan has re-organized its armed forces and there was more emphasis on the rapid reaction and special forces. The Special Operations Command has focused on the internal security and borders and supported the peace processes in the Middle East as well as the smuggling and infiltration on borders. Jordan has also forces in the peacekeeping missions of the United Nations.

The Jordanian Armed Forces consist of ground, air and navy forces, and the most prominent formations are: Infantry, Mechanized Infantry, Special Operations, Jordanian Royal Armor Weapon, Royal Artillery, Field Royal Air Defense, Royal Engineering Corps, Command, Control and Communications, Royal Maintenance Corps, Supply Corps, Royal Transport, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy.

Jordan has participated in several wars and gave hundreds of martyrs. Such of these wars are: 1-World War II when the mechanism Battalion of the Arab Jordanian army in Syria occupied positions for the Vichy French forces in 1941. 2- Ending the rebellion of Rashid Ali Al-Kilani, who was loyal to the Nazi, and the objective of the mission was to protect the Hashemite throne in Iraq. 3- Wars and battles with Israel: the Arab Jordanian army fought more than 44 battle and clash with Israeli forces in the West Bank between (1948-1967) including the (1948 war, Samu’ Incident in Hebron, and the War of 1967). 4- maintaining the independence of Kuwait in 1961. 5- Al-Karameh battle 1968. 6- War of Attrition 1968 - 1970. 7- October War in 1973, (The 1973 war on the Syrian front). 8- Ramtha battle against Syrian forces. 9- Supporting the Omani armed forces (1974 – 1979). 10- Standing beside Iraq in the defending the eastern gate.