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Suspect of Attack on Baqaa Security Offices Arrested | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Media ID: 55352096
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Jordanian security vehicles seen near the General Intelligence directorate offices near al Baqaa Refugee Camp, north of Amman, Jordan, June 6, 2016. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed


Amman- Jordanian Government spokesman Mohammad Momani announced that national intelligence officers have arrested a suspect for the terrorist attack staged on Monday against Baqaa security offices.

Five intelligence officers were killed in the attack. The office is located in Baqaa, situated 27 kilometers west Amman, noting that it was staged by an anonymous party. However, the attack had ISIS written all over.

Momani said that primary information indicates that the attack was a solo-staged offensive, and that investigations are ongoing. He added that Jordanian intelligence, following the attack, employed a series of security measures and tactics which led to taking down the suspect.

He also said that arresting the suspect serves to prove the potency and alertness of security forces and intelligence in his country. It also demonstrates their capacity to deal with any attempts on compromising national security and stability.

An eyewitness revealed that he had heard intense rounds of fire and later on cited a vehicle escaping the premise.

The witness-who was with a patient at the Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II hospital which is located close to the attacked security offices-claimed that the vehicle had escaped alone, with no other automobiles in sight.

Security cameras were able to retrieve photos for the terrorist vehicle.

Moreover, security officers confirmed that the attack took place on Monday at 5:50 a.m. and that the attacks are likely linked to a terrorist ring that national intelligence was able to disband earlier March.

The attack took place on the first day of Ramadan and shook Jordan, a Western ally which has remained relatively stable despite the chaos ravaging neighboring Iraq and Syria.

The crime lab retrieved scores of empty cartridges scattered around the scene, which were traced back to machine guns. Security forces spread across the premise taking strict measures, closing down all border exits, and surrounding the whole of Baqaa.

Noteworthy; Baqqa includes one of the largest concentration refugee Palestinian camps.

Confirming that the attack included no explosions, Jordanian well-informed sources revealed that the attack was staged by a single perpetrator who used a machine gun.