Amman, Aug. 18 (Petra) – Minister of Government Communication and official government spokesperson Mohammad Momani and Director of Military Media at the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) Brigadier General Mustafa Hiyari on Monday outlined details of the reactivation of military service during a press conference.

The program will comprise two tracks: a predominantly military training track, and a theoretical component covering citizenship, national identity, and economic and financial awareness, in addition to insights into the labor market. Momani clarified that the program is neither vocational training nor a reintroduction of the former popular army. JAF, he underlined, will directly oversee implementation.

Conscription will resume with Batch 54, following the suspension of the service after Batch 53 in 1992. The program will begin with 6,000 young men born in 2007 who will have turned 18 by January 1, 2026. They will be divided into three groups of 2,000 each. Conscripts will be selected electronically through a neutral statistical draw, ensuring fairness and proportional representation from all governorates, with allocations ranging from 300 in smaller governorates to 1,500 in Amman, and 900 each in Zarqa and Irbid.

He said the gradual rollout, 6,000 in the first year, rising to 10,000 thereafter, aims to ensure the quality and effectiveness of training, ultimately expanding to cover most eligible groups.

The minister noted that the program considers the circumstances of students and employees, allowing recognition of equivalent courses such as military sciences or national education, and exemptions in legally specified cases, including sole children and those deemed medically unfit. Postponement will also be available for students and residents abroad, provided documentation is submitted, with immediate enrollment required once the grounds for deferment cease.
Under the law, refusal to serve is punishable by three months to one year in prison, without recourse to alternative penalties, he added.

Momani underlined that no exceptions will be granted, affirming that the Crown Prince was unequivocal in insisting on justice and transparency.

Momani stressed that His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II’s announcement of the reactivation of military service comes within a comprehensive national vision to harness the potential of Jordanian youth. The program, he said, seeks to prepare disciplined, aware, and capable generations that can effectively contribute to national development, safeguard the country’s achievements, and serve and defend it.

He highlighted that the Crown Prince’s meeting with young people in Irbid Governorate on Sunday carried important messages underscoring the central role of youth. These engagements, Momani said, uplift morale and give young Jordanians a strong incentive to move forward.

The minister detailed that, following the Crown Prince’s directives, Prime Minister Jafar Hassan instructed the immediate implementation of the program, receiving regular updates from an executive committee headed by the Minister of Interior and comprised of all concerned authorities. Financial resources, he added, have been allocated from this year’s emergency expenditures and the 2026 budget.

Momani explained that amendments to the Military Service and Reserve Service Law will be submitted to the Cabinet on Wednesday ahead of their referral to the National Assembly for expedited constitutional procedures.

He stressed that the program aims to reinforce Jordanian national identity and build youth capacities, physically, intellectually, and culturally, while instilling discipline, perseverance, and responsibility. It will also acquaint conscripts with the values of the military institution.

Commenting on statements recently made by the Israeli Prime Minister, Momani said Jordan had already issued a clear position, stressing that the remarks were reckless and reflected a domestic crisis for Israel’s Prime Minister and his extreme right-wing coalition.

He emphasized that the conduct of the Israeli far right, particularly its efforts to undermine prospects for a two-state solution, threatens regional stability and the interests of all states.

Momani concluded that Jordan remains steadfast in strengthening its institutions and enhancing preparedness to face challenges and risks on all fronts.

//Petra// AJ

18/08/2025 16:03:18