Jordan’s King Abdullah II this weekend ordered the arrests of his two brothers, Prince Feisal bin Hussein and Prince Ali bin Hussein; and his cousin, Prince Talal bin Muhammad.
The shock arrests came after Jordanian intelligence services notified the Hashemite monarch that his siblings and cousin were in contact with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, and Emirati leader Mohammed bin Zayed.
According to the Al-Sura website, the Jordanian military has said the three princes were “retired early as part of the military changes to the Jordanian Army.” Further comment was declined regarding any communication with Saudi and Emirati leaders, and they have not been seen since the “house arrest.”
The Royal Hashemite Court released a statement on Saturday to the English-language Jordan Times website however, saying, “Rumors and misleading claims have been circulated over the past few days by a number of online outlets and social media web sites, spreading lies about Their Royal Highnesses Prince Feisal Bin Al Hussein, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, and Prince Talal Bin Mohammad… Our loyal people do not fall for such lies, which can never damage Jordan’s national unity and the deep-rooted relationship between Jordanians and the Royal Hashemite family.
“His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), had sent Their Royal Highnesses letters in appreciation of their service after they were referred to retirement from the JAF. Their Royal Highnesses had been exemplary officers of the Arab Army, loyal to Jordan and the Hashemite Throne.”
The royal court also threatened to “pursue legal measures against those who spread lies and false claims . . .as the fabricated news circulated recently is aimed at undermining Jordan and its institutions.”