Jordan claims to have foiled Syria-linked al-Qaeda plot

Jordan's authorities announced on Sunday they had broken up a possible al-Qaeda plot to carry out attacks on western targets in the country, using weapons from Syria, DPA reported.

According to the Jordanian General Intelligence Department, security services arrested early Tuesday a group of 11 Jordanians, allegedly plotting to attack a series of strategic targets and diplomatic missions across Amman, including the US embassy.

According to the statement, the men, who had ties with al-Qaeda in Iraq, began plotting the attacks in June and received explosives and other weapons from Syria.

The men had reportedly intended to use car bombs, suicide bombers and "guerilla attacks" on shopping malls, cafes and embassies in the western Amman neighbourhood of Abdoun.

According to a second security source, the 11 received support from Islamist militant groups inside Syria.

"We are exploring every possible lead, and the Syrian regime's involvement is one of them," the second source told dpa.

According to Jordanian authorities, the group has ties with the al-Qaeda fringe group that carried out the deadly 2005 Amman hotel bombings, which killed 60 people, and left more than 120 injured.