Next year, 6,000 men born in 2007 will be drafted, with plans to scale up the program to 10,000 later on.
Jordan has moved to reinstate compulsory national service after Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah last week announced a reinstatement of the program after a 34-year dormancy, speaking during a royal visit to Irbid in the kingdom’s north.
The goal is “to prepare young people to serve and defend their homeland,” Hussein, speaking last Sunday, said. “The experience strengthens national identity and the youth’s connection to their country, fostering character and discipline.”
The prince, 31, is a major in the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF), aka the “Arab Army.” This announcement was followed by Cabinet action on Wednesday to fast-track amendments to the Military Service and Reserve Service Law. Officials say the first intake of recruits is slated for Feb. 1, 2026, with the Jordanian Armed Forces in charge. Funding is to come from 2025 emergency allocations and then be folded into the 2026 state budget. (Read More)