Jordan criticises Israeli forces for storming al-Aqsa Mosque

Jordan on Sunday condemned Israeli forces breaking into yards of Al Aqsa Mosque, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

Jordan's Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani said Jordan completely rejects the Israeli forces of breaking into the mosque's yards and clashing with worshippers at the mosque.

Jordan said several Israeli policemen and soldiers Sunday carried out a morning raid on Al-Aqsa mosque in occupied Jerusalem and surrounded worshippers at the mosque.

"We warn against repeated measures by Israel to alter the situation on the ground and reject such practices by Israel," said the minister.

Israel, he said, should stop all provocations and violations against the worshippers, adding that Jordan will continue to exert all efforts to stop such practices by Israel and prevent any assault on worshippers.

Jordan, which oversees the Islamic and Christian sites in Jerusalem, will continue its role in defending the holy sites, said the minister.

Momani added that the repeated measures by Israeli forces and radical Israeli settlers to storm the yards of Al Aqsa Mosque will fuel more tension in the region and lead to extremism and undermine any hope for a political settlement.

According to media reports, the clashes come just hours before the start of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, with celebrations to begin at sunset and continue until Tuesday evening.

Source: XINHUA