Jordan to reintroduce military conscription for first time since the 90s amid tensions with Israel

The Jordanian Kingdom announced on Monday that it plans to reintroduce the military draft for young men, according to Brig.-Gen. Mustafa Hiyari, spokesman for the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF).

The first draft will comprise 6,000 men at the age of 18 who will receive a salary of 100 Jordanian Dinars ($140) per month and undergo basic military training for the duration of three months.

The number of conscripts will rise to 10,000 over the next rounds of conscription, government spokesman Mohammed Momani said.

Draft dodgers will face penalties of at least three and up to 12 months imprisonment, after which they must resume service.

HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein announces the upcoming reactivation of the National Military Service Programme during a meeting with youth from Irbid, highlighting its importance in strengthening national identity and deepening young people’s connection to their country#Jordan pic.twitter.com/QK8h2y501v

— RHC (@RHCJO) August 17, 2025

The reintroduction of conscription was announced by Crown Prince Hussein Bin Abdullah during a meeting with youth from the city of Irbid, where he emphasized the importance of military service in strengthening national identity and deepening young people’s connection to their country.

“Serving alongside the brave men and women of the JAF “instills discipline and shapes character,” said the 31-year-old prince, who, like his father, actively served in the army and currently holds the rank of Major in the JAF.

A Royal Decree has been issued, promoting His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II to the rank of major in the #Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) pic.twitter.com/Mdyxivq4Vk

— RHC (@RHCJO) June 6, 2024

The military draft had been abolished in 1992, ahead of the peace agreement with Israel two years later, and its reintroduction has since been repeatedly rejected, raising questions about the timing of the move.

A report by Kan News indicated that there could be some connection to the recent deterioration of relations with its neighbor to the west, Israel.

In addition to diplomatic tensions due to the Gaza War, Israel recently announced plans to significantly increase IDF presence along the Jordanian border, which is the country’s longest border, where Israel faces regular terror attacks and numerous smuggling attempts, including by Iranian-linked forces.

The Jordanian military has also been active in coordinating and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, including dozens of airlifts.

“In an era of rapid and turbulent change, where regional crises overlap and pressures intensify, we are in greater need than ever of a trained, aware and capable generation,” retired Maj.-Gen. Hisham Khreisat told Jordan's official Petra news agency.

Jordan is a military ally of the U.S., which has thousands of soldiers deployed in the country. Most of the military hardware of the JAF comes from the U.S.

Last week, Jordan strongly rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s alleged endorsement of the idea of a “Greater Israel,” which would include parts of the kingdom.

His Majesty King Abdullah II, accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein, received a #US Congress delegation, which included Senators Markwayne Mullin and Joni Ernst, and Representatives Jason Smith and Jimmy Panetta, at Al Husseiniya Palace#Jordan pic.twitter.com/uH8su7e5dr

— RHC (@RHCJO) August 18, 2025

While speaking about the reintroduction of conscription at a press conference, spokesman Momani reiterated his country’s condemnation of Netanyahu’s comments, warning that the “Israeli far Right” undermines “prospects for a two-state solution, threatens regional stability, and the interests of all states.”

King Abdullah II also brought up Netanyahu’s comments while receiving a U.S. Congress delegation this week.

According to an official 𝕏 account, the king “reiterated Jordan’s firm rejection of Israeli statements regarding the so-called vision of ‘Greater Israel,'” and “stressed that unilateral Israeli measures in the West Bank are a violation of international law and infringe on the rights of Palestinians to establish their independent state.”