Jordan intercepts 70 ballistic missiles, 25 explosive drones in 16 days

Jordan’s armed forces announced on Tuesday that they had intercepted 70 ballistic missiles and 25 explosive-laden drones attempting to enter Jordanian territory between July 9 and 25. The military said its air defense systems and Royal Jordanian Air Force responded to all threats with high efficiency, preventing any casualties or material losses.

According to a statement from the armed forces, a total of 95 Iranian-origin missiles and drones were dealt with during this period. All were brought down away from residential areas, public gatherings, and vital infrastructure, ensuring the safety and stability of the kingdom.

The statement added that during the same period, the military continued to secure the borders and counter drug smuggling and infiltration attempts. Three attempts to smuggle narcotics using remotely controlled balloons were foiled, three drones carrying drugs were downed, and five infiltrators attempting to cross the border illegally were arrested. This brought the total number of other threats handled on the northern, eastern, and southern borders to 11.

The armed forces emphasized that Jordan’s air defense system and Royal Air Force responded to Iranian threats with the highest operational readiness, neutralizing them away from populated areas. Daily life in Jordan continued as normal, with no injuries or damage reported.

Recent days saw a series of interceptions: on July 24, seven missiles and six drones from Iran were shot down, while on July 23, the Royal Air Force dealt with four missiles and six drones targeting Jordanian airspace, according to the military statement.

On July 22, Jordanian air defenses intercepted six missiles as soon as they entered the kingdom’s airspace. Royal Engineering Corps teams were dispatched to secure and handle the sites where missiles and debris fell, following technical and security protocols.

Royal Air Force jets also downed four drones coming from Iran, while the armed forces continued to monitor Jordanian airspace and raised readiness to address any potential threat.

On July 21, the armed forces neutralized five Iranian drones before downing three missiles. Engineering teams secured the impact sites. On July 20, three Iranian missiles were intercepted as they entered Jordanian airspace. On July 19, air defense systems downed three more missiles, while a fourth fell in a remote area far from populated zones. On July 18, the military shot down 10 missiles and four drones, and on July 17, intercepted three missiles. On July 16, eight missiles were downed as part of defensive measures to protect the kingdom’s sovereignty and airspace.

Air defenses also intercepted three ballistic missiles on July 15 and four on July 14, while four missiles were downed early on July 13, with no injuries or material damage reported.

The armed forces stressed that they will not allow Jordanian territory or airspace to be used as a battleground for regional conflicts, vowing to respond firmly to any threat to the country’s sovereignty or the safety of its citizens.