AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), on Monday presented the Supreme Commander’s Colours to the 39th Jafar Bin Abi Taleb Mechanised Battalion of the Princess Alia 48th Brigade, according to a Royal Court statement.  

 

The handing over of the colours, which started in September 2015, is a display of appreciation for unit members' bravery and sacrifices and their role in defending the country since the battalion’s inception in 1965. It is part of continued efforts by King Abdullah to recognise the various units of the army, according to the statement.

 

The King was received by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat and senior army officers. 

 

Upon his arrival, a Royal Guard parade was performed, accompanied with music played by JAF's band. 

 

After the ceremony, His Majesty presented the family of fallen soldier Suleiman Musa Al Mtairin with the plaque of the 39th Jafar Bin Abi Taleb  Mechanised Battalion. Mtairin died in the line of duty as a soldier in the battalion during the 1967 war in Palestine. 

 

Several Royal family members and high-ranking officers and officials attended the ceremony.

 

In previous years, the Monarch handed over the Supreme Commander’s Colours to the First Prince Hussein Bin Abdullah II Mechanised Battalion, the Second Armoured Battalion, and 4th Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein Tank Battalion.

 

The King’s colours have also been handed over to Hamzah Bin Abdul Muttalib Brigade and Khalid Bin Al Waleed Special Mission Battalion 15, which is affiliated to the King Hussein Bin Ali Brigade Special Mission 30.