In a public defence agreement made with the United States on Sunday, Jordan has allowed US forces, vehicles and aircraft free entry into its Kingdom’s territory. 

The Hashemite kingdom is considered “a vital US partner on a wide range of regional security issues” by the US State Department. 

The royal decree was published in the official journal this week. It was signed in January and approved last month. However, in an exceptional move, the agreement bypassed the parliament.

Ayman Safadi, Jordan Foreign Minister told the parliament that the defence accord was “the fruit of long negotiations”.

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Published on the Jordanian news site Ammon, the terms of the deal say that “US forces may possess weapons and circulate with them on Jordanian territory while exercising their duties”.

It further states that US forces may transport and stock equipment in Jordan and that personnel, their aircraft and ships are authorised to “freely enter and exit Jordanian territory”, reported AFP. 

The new agreement faced some backlash from Islamist lawmaker Saleh al-Armuti who decried the lack of parliamentary oversight. He called on the government to cancel the accord and claimed the deal “violates the constitution and affects Jordan’s sovereignty”.

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Safadi defended the agreement and said that it “in no way affects Jordan’s sovereignty, and everything it contains is subject to Jordanian law and is compatible with international law”.

“The agreement does not authorise American forces to carry out combat actions within the kingdom. The agreement aims to frame defence cooperation and reinforce US support for defence programs and the kingdom’s security and stability through military training and equipment,” Safadi said.

Jordan receives key American financial aid amounting to $425 million in military assistance annually, according to Safadi.