Jordan’s King Abdullah II appoints new army chief

Jordan’s Royal Hashemite Court announced Wednesday a Royal Decree, appointing Major General Majdi Al Harasis as Jordan’s new army chief (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) as of today, September 2.

Al Harasis previously served as the director of the army’s Military Intelligence, a position he held from 2022 to 2025.

The decree also promotes him from the rank of Brigadier General to the rank of Major General.

He succeeds Lieutenant General Yousef Huneiti, who served as the army’s chief since 24 July 2019.

King Abdullah II, the Supreme Commander of Jordan’s Armed Forces, addressed a letter to Al Harasis, per the royal court.

The King directs him with continuing “the efforts of restructuring our Armed Forces and developing the capabilities of the Arab Army, while modernising its tools, in order to enable it to undertake its responsibilities and face emerging challenges,” per the letter.

His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, sent a letter to Al Harasis. Following is the English translation of the letter:

“In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Maj. Gen. Majdi Al Harasis

Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you,

I am delighted to extend to you and your colleagues, the Nashama of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, my greetings and deep pride and appreciation of every one of them wherever they serve.

We have known you as a soldier dedicated to our dear nation, and an exceptional officer in our Arab Army throughout your service in our Armed Forces. And today, as we have issued our decree to appoint you as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces, we entrust you with the responsibility of serving our precious Jordan and undertaking this duty with the utmost care and dedication.

Your Excellency,
The Armed Forces are highly regarded and respected by all Jordanians, as their servicemen and women continue to set the greatest examples of bravery, chivalry, and devotion, working day and night to safeguard Jordan’s land and skies, and counter any threat that target’s the nation’s capabilities, and the safety and security of its citizens.

As you undertake the responsibility of leadership, you must put the nation before you and strive to exert all efforts to serve Jordan and its people, recognising the importance of this deep-rooted national institution and the importance of safeguarding its good name and standing, so that it may remain the nation’s sturdy shield.

Therefore, we direct you to continue the efforts of restructuring our Armed Forces and developing the capabilities of the Arab Army, while modernising its tools, in order to enable it to undertake its responsibilities and face emerging challenges and threats with the utmost efficiency and readiness.

The servicemen and women of the Armed Forces must be given the utmost care and attention, in order to empower them and build their capacities across all ranks, and to ensure the highest levels of performance and professionalism, for they will always be a source of great pride.

We pray that God enable you to undertake this responsibility and grant you success in achieving the best for the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, and you have our full support.

Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you,

Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein

Amman, 2 September 2026”