Mystery rocket explodes in Jordan

[Elzenga]

Mystery rocket explodes in Jordan

A rocket has exploded near the southern Jordanian city of Aqaba, damaging a warehouse but causing no casualties.

It was one of two fired early on Thursday morning which landed in Jordanian territory - the other fell harmlessly into the sea.

There are conflicting reports as to where the rockets were launched.

Israeli military sources say they came from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, but both Egyptian and Jordanian officials denied they were fired from their countries.

Israeli media reports say that the rockets were aimed at the Israeli town of Eilat.

According to an unnamed Jordanian security official, both were Katyusha rockets.

Security warnings

After earlier denials from Jordanian officials that the rockets had been fired from their territory, Reuters news agency later reported unnamed military sources as saying the missiles were fired from the country, but failed to clear its border.

The rocket which came down near Aqaba - adjacent to the popular Israeli resort city of Eilat - hit an empty warehouse, reports said.

"A limited explosion took place in the early hours of the morning at a refrigeration warehouse at the northern edge of the city that caused minor damage," Jordanian Information Minister Nabil Sharif was quoted as saying.

Israel has recently warned of increased militant activity in the Sinai, which is very popular with Israeli tourists, says the BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem.

Last week Israel said there was firm evidence of an attempt to abduct its citizens in the area, prompting a call for all Israelis in the Sinai to leave immediately, adds our correspondent.

In 2005 four rockets were fired from Jordan towards Israel, but they missed, falling instead within Jordan. A Jordanian soldier was killed in the incident.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/8636796.stm

Published: 2010/04/22 11:17:57 GMT

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