The Battle of Karama
The Battle of Karama took place on March 21, 1968, starting at 5:30 AM and lasting for sixteen hours. This conflict was fought between Israeli forces and the Jordanian army, along with Palestinian fighters, in the village of Karama. The primary objective of the Israeli forces was to eliminate the strength of the Arab army, undermine the morale of the Palestinian fighters, disrupt the economic stability of the Jordan Valley, and seize control of the eastern highlands. Ultimately, this battle resulted in a defeat for the Israeli forces and a significant victory for the Jordanian army.
Aims of the Battle of Karama
- Psychological Objectives:
- To weaken the strength of the Jordanian Arab army prior to its reorganization following the June War.
- To instill fear within the Jordanian army and diminish their morale.
- Economic Objectives: To devastate the economic situation in the Jordan Valley, a key agricultural resource for Jordan, rendering it non-productive.
- Political Objectives:
- To impose Israeli power and political conditions on Jordan.
- To occupy Jordanian territories and negotiate control over them.
Results of the Battle
The battle concluded with the failure of Israeli forces to achieve their set objectives. The Jordanian Arab army demonstrated its capability to endure, confront, and overcome both political and economic crises, reinforcing its ability to withstand aggression.
Factors Contributing to the Victory of the Jordanian Arab Army
- The unwavering belief in victory among the Jordanian army created a strong internal motivation and drive for success.
- The wise leadership within the Jordanian army facilitated effective military decision-making and planning for the battle.
- Comprehensive material and moral preparation played a crucial role.
- Israeli forces prioritized the occupation of Jordanian territories while failing to concentrate on significantly weakening the Jordanian military—failing to compel Jordan to agree to a peaceful settlement, which was one of the objectives of the battle.
Casualties of the Battle
- Israeli Casualties: Approximately 250 killed, 450 injured, and a loss of 88 vehicles, including 18 transports, 24 armored vehicles, 19 trucks, and one aircraft.
- Jordanian Armed Forces Casualties: A total of 86 Jordanian martyrs, 95 Palestinian martyrs, 108 injured, along with the destruction of 13 tanks and 39 vehicles.
Martyrs of the Battle of Karama
- First Lieutenant Khader Shukri Abu Darwish
- Mohammed Huwaimel Al-Zabin
- Lieutenant Issa Suleiman Abdul Rahim
- Candidate Rateb Mohammed Saad Al-Bataineh
- Candidate Aref Mahmoud Al-Shakhshir
- Candidate Salem Mohammed Salem Al-Khasawneh
- Candidate Abdullah Shaaban Abdul Ghani Sha’ainah
- Sergeant Ahmed Shihada Mohammed Abdul Razak Al-Shoruq
- Sergeant Mohammed Mahmoud Ahmed Al-Fruiwan
- Corporal Ahmed Khalil Mohammed
- Corporal Jabr Mahmoud Jaber Dar Jaber
- Corporal Abdul Hamid Kamel Yaseen
- Corporal Sultan Mahmoud Mohammed Al-Kufahi
- Corporal Mohammed Naif Mohammed Bani Ahmad
- Corporal Tamim Ahmed Hassan Al-Rimawi
- Corporal Abdul Rahman Khalil Jibreel Abu Areef
- Khaled Fawzi Abdul Fattah Abu Bakr
- Corporal Salahum Matar Issa Al-Khadir
- Corporal Ismail Khalil Ismail Al-Maraein
- Corporal Nasser Mohammed Mutlaq Al-Khawalat
- Corporal Balqawi Atta Allah Falah Al-Hrawin
- Corporal Mousa Faisal Al-Rawhaneh
- Private First Class Sameeh Saleh Salman Al-Haddadin
- Ali Atiyah Dar Al-Sheikh
- Mohammed Ali Awad Al-Boraini
- Muslim Qassem Matar Al-Matarna
- Mohammed Faleh Al-Khawalat
- Mohammed Salem Abdullah Al-Ruqad
- Mohammed Khalil As’ad Zain Al-Din
- Mohammed Abdullah Salem
- Nayel Sobhi Suleiman Al-Sardiah
- Hassan Abdul Rabbah Hassan
- Kareem Aliyan Hamdan Al-Zyoud
- Abdul Majid Fahd Bani Ahmad
- Zaheer Hamad Hamid Al-Ayasa
- Omar Ahmed Qasem Al-Kasasbeh
- Ahmed Fareed Tawirsh Ali
- Abdullah Suleiman Muslim Al-Tawrah
- Mohammed Fareed Mousa Al-Twalibah
- Hamid Mohammed Al-Lassasmeh
- Mohammed Dhiab Mahmoud Matar
- Ali Hilal Bakhitan Al-Shurfat
- Hussein Taleb Hussein Sukria
- Taleb Shihada Salem Al-Fuqaha
- Salah Ahmad Suleiman Al-Qawaibi
- Aref Mohammed Salem Al-Basirat
- Ahmed Mohsen Faleh Al-Bataineh
- Sarhan Mohammed Hassan Al-Nimraneh
- Barakat Mohammed Ali Al-Zubi
- Mohammed Shafiq Abdullah Dar Ahmed
- Aref Mohammed Hamdan Al-Ghunimat
- Abdullah Faleh Mahmoud Al-Qudat
- Suleiman Ali Khalil Al-Hassanat