Jordan Police Disperse Protest over Shootout Death

Jordanian police fired tear gas to disperse angry protesters in the Islamist stronghold of Maan on Wednesday after police killed a suspect in a shootout in the southern city.

"More than 100 people demonstrated to protest the killing of a man wanted by police," a witness told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"Police fired tear gas to disperse the demonstration after the protesters blocked roads with burning tires."

A security official confirmed the incident.

"On Monday, security forces raided an area of Maan to arrest two suspects. One of them was killed in a shootout. The second suspect ran away," he told AFP.

"Three policemen as well as a woman were hurt in the shootout," he added, without elaborating.

In April, a 20-year-old man was killed outside his home in clashes with security forces after gunmen opened fire on police guarding a courthouse.

Six men are now facing trial for their alleged involvement in the violence.

Maan has a bloody and rebellious past dating back to the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I.

In April last year, armed clashes among students at the city's King Hussein bin Talal University killed four people and wounded more than 25.