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 Mahmoud Falah Maaytah

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 Mahmoud Falah Maaytah was appointed commander of the Northern Command.

Units

Northern Command OrBat 2013 (Click to enlarge)

Unit Summary

Number Unit Type Equipment
2
 Tank Battalion M60 Phoenix, M577, M106A2
7
 Mechanized Infantry Battalion AIFV, M113A2MK1J, M577, M901 ITV, YPR-765 prat, M106A2, Humvee, Desert Iris, M35, DAF4440/4442 Trucks
3
 Self-Propelled Artillery M109A2 Howitzer, M113A2, M577
1
 Heavy Self-Propelled Artillery M110A2 Howitzer, M113A2, M577
3
 Field ADA Battalion Pantsir-S1E, 9K33 Osa, Strela-10, PTRL, M163 Vulcan, ZSU-23-4 Shilka, Igla-S, 9K38 Igla, Strela-3
1
 Engineer Battalion M113A2, M35, CEV, Armored tracked bulldozer (CAT D6T, D7G/R, D8R, D9, Komatsu D155A), Wheeled bulldozer (CAT 924H, 966H), excavators, graders (CAT 12G, 120M), dump trucks, Backhoe loaders, loaders, M58 MICLIC, Aardvark JSFU, Combat Dozer UDK1 and Bomb disposal robots.
1
 Command & Control & Communication Group M577, M113A2, Humvee, RG-12
1
 Supply & Transport Battalion FMTV, M35, M800 & M900 Trucks, DAF4440/4442 Trucks, DAF YAK/YAS2300 trucks, Fuel Tankers, Toyota Trucks and many other vehicles.
1
 Medical Support Group M113A2 Ambulance, HMMWV M997 Ambulance, Toyota Land Cruiser Ambulance, Mobile Field Hospitals on trucks.
1
 Maintenance Group M113A2, M88 Recovery Vehicle, M578 Light Recovery Vehicle, AL Monjed ARV, Chieftain ARV, YPR-806, M109 Van, M35 Trucks, M800 & M900 Trucks.
1
 Construction Group Wheeled bulldozer, M35, excavators, dump trucks, Backhoe loaders, loaders.
1
 Administrative Transport Group

References

  1. ↑ http://orbat.com/site/cwa/2010/asia/west%20asia/jordan.pdf
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ IISS Military Balance 2004–2005, p.127-128
  4. 1 2 3 Rubin, Barry M; Keaney, Thomas A (2002). "Armed Forces in the Middle East: Politics and Strategy". ISBN 9780714652559.
  5. ↑ http://www.gloria-center.org/meria/2001/06/bligh.pdf
  6. 1 2 http://ihracat.ssm.gov.tr/TR/Documents/sofex2008/Mart%202008_%20Turkiye%20Urdun%20SSI%20Bilgi%20Notu.PDF
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