The Latest: Death toll for Jordan troops in clash rises to 4

الأنباط -

Washington Post-

AMMAN, Jordan — The Latest on developments in Jordan after a deadly shootout between Jordanian forces, suspected militants (all times local):

11:55 a.m.

A Jordanian official says the number of troops killed during a raid of a suspected militant hideout has risen to four.

The clash late on Saturday in the central town of Salt was among the deadliest between troops and suspected extremists in recent years. It raised new concerns about attempts by domestic and foreign militants to carry out attacks and destabilize the pro-Western kingdom.

Government spokeswoman Jumana Ghuneimat initially said three members of the security forces were killed when suspects holed up inside a building opening fire and set off explosions.

She said on Sunday a fourth member of the force died later.

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8:15 a.m.

A Jordanian official says five suspected militants are in custody after opening fire and setting off explosions that killed three members of the security forces and collapsed a multi-story building.

The clash late Saturday in the town of as-Salt raised new concerns about militants’ attempts to carry out large-scale attacks to destabilize the pro-Western kingdom.

The Hala Akhbar news website linked to Jordan’s military said on Sunday that the suspects are Jordanians and that the cell planned to attack security installations and other sensitive targets.

Government spokeswoman Jumana Ghuneimat initially said three suspects were in custody, but later raised the number to five. Authorities did not provide details about their affiliation.

Events were set in motion Friday when assailants detonated a homemade bomb under a police car, killing an officer.