Jordanian Northern Command المنطقة العسكرية الشمالية | |
---|---|
Active | 1970 – 2000 (12th Mech. Div.) 2000 – present |
Country | Jordan |
Branch | Royal Jordanian Army |
Type | Mechanized Infantry |
Role | Multi Role |
Size | 15,000 - 18,000 (2012 est.) |
Garrison/HQ | Irbid, Ajloun, Jerash |
Colors | KA2 Desert Digital |
Engagements | |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Brigadier General Khaled Al-Masaeid |
The Jordanian Northern Command ( Arabic:المنطقة العسكرية الشمالية) is the Jordanian Armed Forces regional command responsible for the defense of the northern front against possible attack by Syria or Israel.
The Northern Command was formed in 1977 as part of a major reorganization of the Royal Jordanian Army. The Units that make up the command were transferred from the 12th Mechanized Division that was disbanded. Northern Command units are deployed from Ramtha through Umm Qays to the Zarqa River in a defensive posture that cover both Israel and Syria.
In 2000, King Abdullah II initiated a further re-organization and restructuring of the Jordanian Armed Forces, with the divisions being transformed into lighter, more mobile forces, based largely on a brigade structure and considered better capable of rapid reaction in emergencies. [1] [2] [3]
The 12th Mechanised Division was normally deployed facing west (towards Israel) and north (towards Syria) from the Zarqa river, around Umm Qais, to Ramtha. The western part of Jordan's frontier with Syria is a deep gorge along the Yarmuk River, but there is flatter ground further to the east where an attack could take place; Jordanian forces traditionally maintained a defensive posture along this sector. [3] [4] [5]
Jordanian forces have not been deployed in the Jordan Valley itself, where they would be vulnerable to Israeli air power and artillery. They were deployed on the heights above the valley in positions that enable them to obstruct any enemy movement up the routes to the central plateau leading to the main cities. There are a number of surfaced roads leading up to the top of the escarpment, about 800 to 1,200 m above the floor of the valley, but a well-entrenched force could ensure that any enemy advance up those roads could only be attempted at great cost. [3] [5]
This command was involved in many wars, including the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Six-Day War, the War of Attrition and the war against the Syrian army when it tried to enter Jordan in the Black September conflict.
The Northern Command commands regional units from Um Qais in Irbid to the Zarqa River south of Jerash, with a presence in Ar Ramtha. Brigadier General Khaled Al-Masaeid was appointed commander of the Northern Command.
Notes:
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
Jordanian Northern Command المنطقة العسكرية الشمالية | |
---|---|
Active | 1970 – 2000 (12th Mech. Div.) 2000 – present |
Country | Jordan |
Branch | Royal Jordanian Army |
Type | Mechanized Infantry |
Role | Multi Role |
Size | 15,000 - 18,000 (2012 est.) |
Garrison/HQ | Irbid, Ajloun, Jerash |
Colors | KA2 Desert Digital |
Engagements | |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Brigadier General Khaled Al-Masaeid |
The Jordanian Northern Command ( Arabic:المنطقة العسكرية الشمالية) is the Jordanian Armed Forces regional command responsible for the defense of the northern front against possible attack by Syria or Israel.
The Northern Command was formed in 1977 as part of a major reorganization of the Royal Jordanian Army. The Units that make up the command were transferred from the 12th Mechanized Division that was disbanded. Northern Command units are deployed from Ramtha through Umm Qays to the Zarqa River in a defensive posture that cover both Israel and Syria.
In 2000, King Abdullah II initiated a further re-organization and restructuring of the Jordanian Armed Forces, with the divisions being transformed into lighter, more mobile forces, based largely on a brigade structure and considered better capable of rapid reaction in emergencies. [1] [2] [3]
The 12th Mechanised Division was normally deployed facing west (towards Israel) and north (towards Syria) from the Zarqa river, around Umm Qais, to Ramtha. The western part of Jordan's frontier with Syria is a deep gorge along the Yarmuk River, but there is flatter ground further to the east where an attack could take place; Jordanian forces traditionally maintained a defensive posture along this sector. [3] [4] [5]
Jordanian forces have not been deployed in the Jordan Valley itself, where they would be vulnerable to Israeli air power and artillery. They were deployed on the heights above the valley in positions that enable them to obstruct any enemy movement up the routes to the central plateau leading to the main cities. There are a number of surfaced roads leading up to the top of the escarpment, about 800 to 1,200 m above the floor of the valley, but a well-entrenched force could ensure that any enemy advance up those roads could only be attempted at great cost. [3] [5]
This command was involved in many wars, including the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Six-Day War, the War of Attrition and the war against the Syrian army when it tried to enter Jordan in the Black September conflict.
The Northern Command commands regional units from Um Qais in Irbid to the Zarqa River south of Jerash, with a presence in Ar Ramtha. Brigadier General Khaled Al-Masaeid was appointed commander of the Northern Command.
Notes:
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)