JORDAN: REPORTS OF SOF DEPLOYMENTS TO YEMEN

S E C R E T AMMAN 002466

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN: REPORTS OF SOF DEPLOYMENTS TO YEMEN
UNFOUNDED

Classified By: Classified by Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (S/NF) SUMMARY: Jordanian online news services reported
on November 12 the GOJ's denial that it had sent 450 Special
Operations Forces (SOF) to fight Huthi rebels in Yemen
alongside Saudi forces. The reports cite allegations by the
Baghdad-based pro-Shia Nahrainnet service. In recent months,
the Embassy has facilitated Jordanian military assistance to
Yemen, including contributions of military equipment and
several SOF trainers. The Jordanian articles represent a
rare instance of reporting on Jordan's Armed Forces by a
national media which typically steers clear of security
issues. END SUMMARY.


2. (S/NF) Two Jordanian online news services -- Ammonnews
and Jisara -- reported that unnamed sources in the GOJ denied
reports that it had sent SOF to participate in Saudi military
operations against the Huthi rebels along the Saudi-Yemeni
border, and planned to send additional troops within a week.
The reports cite allegations by the Baghdad-based pro-shia
website Nahrainnet which quotes Jordan's King Abdullah II
telling Saudi Arabia's King Abdulla, "Jordan offers all its
potential military and intelligence to help Saudi Arabia in
its war (against the Huthi) as it is a war on Jordan," in a
telephone conversation on November 9.


3. (S/NF) Jordan has maintained a keen interest in the
Huthi uprising in Yemen and in the Yemeni government's
ability to maintain internal security and ensure no
safe-haven for terrorist groups. As a result, in September
Jordan sent 25 M113 armored personnel carriers, 50 Rattels,
and 4 AARDVARK mine-sweeping vehicles to Yemen. The
contribution was funded by the UAE and facilitated by the
Embassy. Jordan has also sent several trainers from its SOF
units to provide technical assistance to the Yemeni Armed
Forces on special operations and counter-terrorism
operations. In addition, JAF Major General Jamal Shawabkeh,
former head of Jordan's Special Operations Command, is
serving on an extended detail as the Yemeni president's
special advisor for Counter-Terrorism.


4. (S/NF) COMMENT: So far the story has not been picked up
by mainstream print or broadcast outlets, and is unlikely to
be re-reported. A survey conducted by the Center for
Defending the Freedom of Journalists in My 2009 indicated
that at least 94 per cent of Jordanian journalists practice
self-censorship on military and security subjects.The reports
as carried by Jordanian media represent a rare step into the
field of military and security reporting. END COMMENT.) .
Beecroft