Jordan denies arresting king’s brothers over Saudi contacts

Times of Israel ^ | 30 December 2017 | By TOI staff

[BlackVeil]

The Jordanian army on Saturday denied a report that two of King Abdullah II’s brothers had been arrested over contacts with Saudi Arabian officials. ...

But in denying the arrests, Jordanian military officials said the brothers — Prince Faisal bin Hussein and Prince Ali bin Hussein — had simply “retired.”...

[BlackVeil]

This is a big story, getting surprisingly little coverage. In essence, it looks like a break in Jordan's placid and predictable politics. The King's brothers and his cousin have been removed from senior military posts, as part of a 'reorganisation.' They haven't been seen in public since, and are said to be under house arrest. Or, maybe, ordinary arrest.

Considering the norms of Jordanian society, this is a big deal. The most common interpretation, as set out in this article from Israel, is the rumour that the Jordanian king learnt that these powerful members of his family were in touch with Saudi Arabia, who was urging them on to a coup. The Jordanian govt denies this, of course.

Whatever the truth, it is clear that there is a rift between Jordan and the Saudis. It is linked to Jordan's policy on Jerusalem. Since the coup in Saudi Arabia, Jordan's king has been referred to in their press by a new title: "The protector of the first Qiblah and the third holy sanctuary".

[Justa]

Abdullah is temperate and stable. Faisal is intemperate, a control freak and militaristic.

A wise move by Abdullah.

[SunkenCiv]

It’s not unusual for reshuffles — the current King was designated heir to King Hussein a short time before the King’s death, and Hussein’s brother Hassan was removed from the position of Crown Prince, which he’d held for over 30 years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Hassan_bin_Talal.