Jordan's Foreign Ministry Vows to Prevent Jordanians from Joining Russian Military
Jordan's Foreign Ministry is demanding that Russia stop recruiting Jordanian citizens for military service after two Jordanians died fighting with Russian forces. The ministry is tracking what it calls illegal recruitment operations that violate both Jordanian and international law.
The deaths of the two Jordanian nationals have prompted Jordan's government to take a firm stance against foreign military recruitment on its soil. Ministry spokesperson Fuad al-Majali said the department is closely monitoring attempts by external parties to deceive Jordanian citizens into illegal military recruitment.
This isn't just about two deaths. Jordan is dealing with a broader pattern of online recruitment networks targeting its citizens. The ministry warned that various groups are using internet platforms to recruit Jordanians, putting their lives at risk while breaking multiple laws.
Jordanian law explicitly criminalizes joining foreign armies, making these recruitment efforts a serious legal violation. The ministry said it's working with national institutions to take all available legal and diplomatic measures to stop these operations and prosecute those involved.
The government is asking citizens to report any recruitment attempts they encounter. Officials stressed that engaging with these recruiters puts lives in danger and constitutes a serious breach of international obligations and Jordanian law.
For Russia, this creates a diplomatic headache with a regional partner. Jordan has historically maintained balanced relationships across the Middle East, and this recruitment issue could strain ties with Moscow. The ministry made clear it will use all available procedures to end what it sees as illegal foreign military recruitment of its citizens.
The case highlights how conflicts can spill over borders through recruitment networks, even when countries aren't directly involved in the fighting. Jordan's firm response suggests it won't tolerate foreign powers recruiting its citizens, regardless of the conflict or country involved.
Sara Khaled