Jordanian Northern Command
| Jordanian Northern Command المنطقة العسكرية الشمالية | |
|---|---|
 Northern Command Shoulder sleeve insignia | |
| Active | 1970 – 2000 (12th Mech. Div.) 2000 – present |
| Country | Jordan |
| Branch | Royal Jordanian Army |
| Type | Mechanized Infantry |
| Role | Multi Role |
| Size | 15,000 - 18,000 (2012 est.) |
| Garrison/HQ | Irbid, Ajloun, Jerash |
| Colors | KA2 Desert Digital |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Brigadier General Khaled Al-Masaeid |
The Jordanian Northern Command (Arabic:المنطقة العسكرية الشمالية) is the Jordanian Armed Forces regional command responsible for the defense of the northern front against possible attack by Syria or Israel.
History
Since the major reorganisation of 1977 the Royal Jordanian Army has kept the Northern Command (Formerly known as 12th Mechanized Division)[1] deployed from Ramtha through Umm Qays to the Zarqa River in a defensive posture that cover both Israel and Syria. But in 2000, King Abdullah II made a big step to modernize and restructure Jordanian Armed Forces, with the divisions being transformed into lighter, more mobile forces, based largely on a brigade structure and considered better capable of rapid reaction in emergencies.[2][3][4]
The 12th Mechanised Division was normally deployed facing west (towards Israel) and north (towards Syria) from the Zarqa river, around Umm Qais, to Ramtha. The western part of Jordan's frontier with Syria is a deep gorge along the Yarmuk River, but there is flatter ground further to the east where an attack could take place; Jordanian forces traditionally maintained a defensive posture along this sector.[4][5][6]
Jordanian forces have not been deployed in the Jordan Valley itself, where they would be vulnerable to Israeli air power and artillery. They were deployed on the heights above the valley in positions that enable them to obstruct any enemy movement up the routes to the central plateau leading to the main cities. There are a number of surfaced roads leading up to the top of the escarpment, about 800 to 1,200 m above the floor of the valley, but a well-entrenched force could ensure that any enemy advance up those roads could only be attempted at great cost.[4][6]
This command was involved in many wars, including the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Six-Day War, the War of Attrition and the war against the Syrian army when it tried to enter Jordan in the Black September conflict.
Organisation
The Northern Command commands regional units from Um Qais in Irbid to the Zarqa River south of Jerash, with a presence in Ar Ramtha. Brigadier General Khaled Al-Masaeid was appointed commander of the Northern Command.
Units
- Northern Command HQ
- HQ Defense Company
- Command Communication Group
- Border Guard Force (BGF)
- 2nd Border Guard Force Brigade
- Brigade HQ
- Signal Company
- 9th Border Guard Force Battalion
- 10th Border Guard Force Battalion
- 11th Border Guard Force Battalion
- 12th Border Guard Force Battalion
- Mechanized Engineer Company (Attached from CEB)
- Logistics & Transport Company (Attached from STB)
- Brigade Medical Center
- Brigade Maintenance Workshop
- 2nd Border Guard Force Brigade
- Combat & Maneuver Units
- 3rd King Talal Mechanized Infantry Brigade
- Brigade HQ
- Signal Company
- 4th “ Prince Hassan ” Mechanized Battalion
- 8th “ Imam Ali ” Mechanized Battalion
- 18th “ Prince Ghazi ” Tank Battalion
- Anti-Armor Company
- Mechanized Engineer Company (Attached from CEB)
- Logistics & Transport Company (Attached from STB)
- Brigade Medical Center
- Brigade Maintenance Workshop
- 12th Al-Yarmouk Mechanized Infantry Brigade
- Brigade HQ
- Signal Company
- 24th “ Abu Obeida Al-Jarrah ” Mechanized Battalion
- 26th “ Sharhabeel Ibn Hasna ” Tank Battalion
- 28th “ Omar Ibn El-A'as ” Mechanized Battalion
- Anti-Armor Company
- Mechanized Engineer Company (Attached from CEB)
- Logistics & Transport Company (Attached from STB)
- Brigade Medical Center
- Brigade Maintenance Workshop
- 48th Princess Aliyah Mechanized Infantry Brigade
- Brigade HQ
- Signal Company
- 7th “ King Abdullah ” Mechanized Battalion
- 14th “ King Mohammad V ” Mechanized Battalion
- 39th “ Ja'far bin Abi Talib ” Mechanized Battalion
- Anti-Armor Company
- Mechanized Engineer Company (Attached from CEB)
- Logistics & Transport Company (Attached from STB)
- Brigade Medical Center
- Brigade Maintenance Workshop
- 3rd King Talal Mechanized Infantry Brigade
- Combat Support Units
- Northern Command Artillery
- 12th Royal Field AD Group
- Group HQ
- 51st Field AD Battalion
- 52nd Field AD Battalion
- Command Engineer Battalion (CEB)
- Service Support Units
- Administrative Transport Group
- Command Maintenance Group
- Medical Support Group
- Supply and Transport Battalion (STB)
- Command Training Center
Unit Summary
References
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-12-15. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ [1]
- ^ IISS Military Balance 2004–2005, p.127-128
- ^ a b c Rubin, Barry M; Keaney, Thomas A (2002). "Armed Forces in the Middle East: Politics and Strategy". ISBN 9780714652559.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-22. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)