More troops head for Afghanistan

AMMAN (JT) - A new group of Jordanian forces left for Afghanistan Monday night to provide humanitarian services in the south-central Asian country, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The force will replace another group that has just concluded its mission in Afghanistan, according to Petra.

During a farewell ceremony, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Lt. General Mashal Al Zaben conveyed His Majesty King Abdullah's greetings to the soldiers and his appreciation of the armed forces’ efforts to extend humanitarian services to the Afghan people, calling on the officers to keep up the good reputation of the Kingdom's security services.

The force and Jordan's military field hospital in Afghanistan provide medical and humanitarian aid to the community and help in the construction of schools, hospital and roads, Petra said.

Also, a group of army experts from the Jordan Armed Forces help train Afghan forces and develop their skills in order to enable them to maintain security and order, according to Petra, which added that the fact that Jordan’s troops include women has boosted communication with the conservative Afghan society.

Last week, the government rejected a fatwa issued by the Islamic Action Front, which criticized the Jordanian military’s participation in missions led by the US across the world.

The fatwa said that joining American forces in their military presence in Afghanistan and Sudan is “haram”, or religiously rejected and a “form of oppression” against brotherly Muslims.

The fatwas drew fire from civil society institutions and the Iftaa Department, which said it was the sole party authorized to issue religious edict.

22 December 2010

Source: The Jordan Times.
Link: http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=32843.