News

King attends ceremony marking 50th anniversary of Karamah Battle

18 March 2018

His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, on Sunday attended the JAF ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Karamah Battle, held in the Jordan Valley town of Karamah.

King Abdullah was received with a military reception that included a 21-gun salute.

His Majesty, who was received by Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Hani Mulki and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, then inspected the honour guard and greeted the attendees, including royal family members and senior officials and officers, as well as retired high-ranking military and security personnel.

The King also laid a wreath at the Unknown Soldier Monument.

After a prayer by JAF Mufti Brig. Gen. Majed Darawsheh, His Majesty and the attendees recited verses from the Holy Quran and reviewed the names of the martyrs as well as formations and units that fought in the 21 March 1968 battle, which marked the Jordanian army’s victory against Israeli forces in a turning point in the Arab-Israeli conflict.

On the grounds adjacent to the Unknown Soldier Monument, the King, flanked by the heroes who fought in the Karamah Battle, attended a ceremony marking the occasion.

The site was turned into a simulated battlefield featuring actual tanks and artillery used in the Karamah Battle.

His Majesty and the attendees stood up during a 21-gun salute in honour of the heroes and the martyrs of the battle.

The King attended a live performance by JAF personnel and Jordanian actors supported by audio-visual elements to reflect key events of the Karamah Battle.

The event—attended by representatives of media and youth institutions, as well as martyrs’ families—concluded with high-altitude military parachuting, with the parachutists carrying the flags of the JAF units that participated in the battle, while helicopters and fighter jets conducted a fly-past.

His Majesty also toured the Karamah Museum, which documents the events of the battle and the weapons used.

The battle’s memorial has been renovated to include new facilities open to visitors.