BB FANS

Guardian
Wednesday November 9, 2005 8:01 PM

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - Explosions hit three hotels in the Jordanian capital Wednesday night, and at least 12 people were killed. The first blast occurred at about 8:50 p.m. (1:50 p.m. EST) at the luxury Grand Hyatt hotel, popular with tourists and diplomats. Associated Press reporter Jamal Halaby, who was at the hotel, counted seven bodies being taken away. Police said there were many others injured.

A few minutes later, police reported an explosion at the Radisson SAS Hotel a short distance away. Police said five people were killed and at least 20 wounded.

Another explosion was reported at the Days Inn Hotel, and police said there were casualties.

Police had no word on what caused the explosions, although an American businessman at the Grand Hyatt said a bomb went off in the lobby. Witnesses saw smoke rising from the building.

Jordan, a close U.S. ally, has arrested scores of Islamic militants for plotting to carry out attacks in the moderate Arab kingdom. It has also sentenced numerous militants to death in absentia, including the Jordanian-born leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

In July, prosecutors indicted five Jordanians in an alleged conspiracy to attack intelligence agents, tourists and hotels in Amman. Al-Zarqawi has not been linked to the alleged plot.

Suicide Bombers Kill at Least 18 in Attacks on Three Hotels Frequented by Westerners in Amman, Jordan

AMMAN, Jordan Nov 9, 2005 — Suicide bombers attacked three hotels frequented by Westerners in the Jordanian capital Wednesday night, and at least 18 people were killed and 120 wounded, police said.

Maj. Bashir al-Da'aja said officials believe all three blasts were carried out by suicide bombers. The explosions indicated the involvement of al-Qaida, which has launched coordinated attacks on high-profile, Western targets in the past, a police official said.

From ABC News


Wed Nov 9, 2005 9:46 PM GMT

AMMAN (Reuters) - At least 52 people were killed in three blasts that rocked international hotels in the Jordanian capital on Wednesday, Jordan's Health Minister Said Darwazeh said.

The minister gave no further details. A Jordanian security source earlier said 40 people had died and scores were wounded.

Thu Nov 10, 2005 6:46 PM GMT
By Suleiman al-Khalidi and Dina Wakeel

AMMAN (Reuters) - The al Qaeda group led by America's deadliest foe in Iraq claimed responsibility on Thursday for three suicide bombings that ripped through luxury hotels in Jordan's capital and killed 56 people.

In Wednesday night's near-simultaneous attacks, two suicide bombers turned crowded wedding parties into scenes of blood and panic at the Grand Hyatt and the nearby Radisson SAS in central Amman. A third attacker targeted a Days Inn hotel.

"The operation was executed by three suicide bombers who were wearing explosive belts. Two entered the hotels, the other blew himself up outside the hotel in a car," Deputy Prime Minister Marwan al-Muasher told reporters.

He said the blasts killed 56 people and wounded 96. A cabinet statement earlier put the toll at 57 dead and 110 hurt.


Full story Reuters