Protests in Jordan Over Unemployment

Jordanian security forces opened fire on dozens of unemployed Jordanians protesting the lack of job opportunities in the town of Dhiban south of the capital Amman. Jordanian media said the protest has been going on for about two months and the protestors had erected a large tent in the center of town. Over the weekend, Jordanian security forces attempted to take down the tent and arrest the leaders of the protest. When security forces fired tear gas at the demonstrators, they responded by trying to torch houses belonging to the security forces. Dhiban, with about 39,000 people is one of the poorest towns in Jordan. The protest came as Jordan’s new Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki, has pledged to try to combat unemployment in Jordan.