Jordan bans the Muslim Brotherhood

Jordan closed the offices and banned all activities of the local branch of the Islamist movement Muslim Brotherhood. This was reported by the country's Interior Ministry, in statements picked up by AFP.

"[They] are operating in the shadows and engage in activities that could undermine stability and security," Minister Mazen al-Faraya said of the transnational group.

He also assured that authorities had found "explosives and weapons transported between Jordanian cities and stored in residential areas," in addition to covert missile factories and "training and recruitment operations."

According to the AP, following the announcement, police surrounded the headquarters of the Islamic Action Front, a party linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, which was officially banned a decade ago. It is the largest opposition party.

According to the same agency, the son of one of the leaders of the now banned party was part of a group that tried to create explosives to attack security forces.

Jordanian authorities announced on Tuesday of last week the arrest of 16 people accused of possessing weapons and manufacturing missiles, as well as recruiting and training individuals in Jordan and abroad. The government claimed they were part of the Muslim Brotherhood, although the group denied the accusations.