US warns against attacks on Jordan’s malls

The US Embassy in Jordan warns of a potential threat of attacks against “high-end malls” in Jordan’s capital, as the kingdom takes part in airstrikes targeting the extremist Islamic State group.

The embassy says the threat to Amman shopping malls is “judged to be credible,” but that it had no information about the type or timing of any possible attack. It advises US citizens to stay away from the malls, adding that embassy staff and their families were already instructed to do so for the next few days.

Jordan has increased security at the malls, the embassy statement says.

Government spokesman Mohammed al-Momani says Jordan stepped up security measures after “regional events intensified,” an apparent reference to Jordan’s decision earlier this month to raise its profile in the military campaign against the Islamic State group. The decision comes after the extremists released a video that showed them burning to death a Jordanian fighter pilot trapped inside a metal cage.

Al-Momani did not comment specifically on the warning about the malls, saying only that “countries issue such warnings all the time.”

— AP