Parliamentary delegation 19 Nov visited Syrian President Assad for first time since 2011 to discuss cooperation in trade, tourism and transport; including reopening of Ramtha-Daraa border, shut for seven years.

Assailants 10 Aug detonated bomb under police car at music festival in Fuheis, mainly Christian town 20km north west of capital Amman, killing one officer. Security forces 12 Aug traced suspects to building in nearby Salt; during raid suspects detonated explosives causing building to partially collapse; four security personnel and at least three suspects reportedly killed. Interior minister 13 Aug said assailants were Islamic State supporters and had planned more attacks.

Amid widespread anger at austerity measures, thousands protested late May and early June after govt adopted draft law that would, if approved by parliament, increase income tax. As demanded by protesters, PM Hani al-Mulki and cabinet resigned 4 June. King Abdullah next day appointed Education Minister and former World Bank economist Omar al-Razzaz as PM and asked him to form new govt; protests subsided 7 June after al-Razzaz pledged to repeal proposed tax bill. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates 11 June pledged $2.5bn to stabilise country. Qatar 13 June pledged $500mn investment package, including 10,000 jobs for Jordanians in Qatar. World Bank 28 June pledged $500mn to support economic reforms.

Govt 29 March accepted new Israeli ambassador to Jordan, whom Israel appointed in Feb; normal relations interrupted following July 2017 killing of two Jordanians by Israeli embassy guard at Israel’s embassy in Amman.

Israel 8 Feb appointed new ambassador to Jordan, after resuming normal bilateral relations mid-Jan, interrupted by July 2017 killing of two Jordanians by Israeli embassy guard at Israel’s embassy in Amman; same day Jordan complained it was “not officially notified” of appointment by Israel.

Israel and Jordan 18 Jan announced end to bilateral diplomatic crisis resulting from July 2017 killing of two Jordanians by Israeli guard at Israel’s embassy in Jordan and Israel agreed to pay compensation; dispute remained over whether Israel had apologised (or merely expressed regret) and whether it had committed to try guard (or merely continue internal review).

International Criminal Court 11 Dec said it would refer Jordan to UN Security Council for hosting Sudanese President Bashir in March, whom Jordan as signatory to Rome Statute is required to arrest.

U.S. and Russia 11 Nov announced details of ceasefire in south west Syria, first agreed between them and Jordan 7 July: non-jihadist Syrian opposition to maintain control of currently held areas and work with U.S. and Jordan to expel foreign fighters, and Russia to work with Syrian regime to end presence of non-Syrian, Iran-backed forces in 5km-wide belt along Jordanian border and opposition-held areas (see Syria).

Govt 14 Aug barred Israeli ambassador’s return until Israeli embassy guard who killed two Jordanians at Israel’s embassy in Amman 23 July had been investigated and tried (see Israel/Palestine).

Israeli guard at Israel’s embassy in Amman 23 July shot dead seventeen-year-old Jordanian, who reportedly attacked him with screwdriver, and bystander. After brief standoff, Israel allowed authorities to question guard in embassy; Israel withdrew all its embassy staff including guard 25 July. King Abdullah 27 July said Israeli PM Netanyahu’s handling of incident was “provocative” and “absolutely unacceptable” and conditioned return of Israel’s ambassador to Jordan on Israeli authorities opening criminal inquiry against guard in Israel (see Israel-Palestine).