Around 20 people have been detained and arrested by the Jordan authorities citing potential danger to Jordan’s “stability” while Prince Hamzah bin Hussein, the country’s former crown prince’s movement was restricted to the Amman royal palace.

The Washington Post reported while citing a Middle East intelligence officer that the move is part of a national investigation which probes into a possible attempted coup against King Abdullah II, the successor of the former ruler of Jordan, King Hussein.

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According to local and state-run media, Sherif Hassan bin Zaid and Bassem Awadallah, who led Jordan’s royal court for a brief period over a decade ago, were among arrested. Awadallah resigned from his position after coming into critical crosshairs of the Jordanian people after allegedly intervening in the country’s key economic and political issues. 

According to the unnamed intelligence official, Prince Hamzah has not been placed under any form of detention or arrest but has been restricted from posting on his social media platforms and has been advised to refrain from travelling. 

The Joint Chiefs of Staff head, Major General Yousef Huneiti, also denied media reports that Hamza, a former crown prince, had been arrested.

“What has been published about the arrest of Prince Hamza is not true,” Huneiti said.

But the prince had been “asked to stop some activities that could be used to shake the stability and security of Jordan”.

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The alleged coup was reportedly being plotted by Jordan’s security staff, tribal leaders and at least one member of the royal family. 

Saturday’s security sweep comes as Jordan prepares to mark 100 years since the new kingdom then named Transjordan was established alongside Palestine under British mandate.

It declared independence in 1946, and despite having little oil wealth, severely lacking water and repeatedly being rocked by wars on its borders, the kingdom has managed to survive the regional upheavals.