King Hussein’s Ten-Day War

Border of Syria and Lebanon, September 19:

“Stand up and fight; give the last battle. It will mean victory against imperialism and its servants.” The message is broadcast every five minutes by Radio Damascus to all Arab countries. Another message from the fedayeen announces: “We are holding our ground. We are fighting and our morale is high. We have suffered small losses.” Amman, meanwhile, is silent. From where I am we cannot hear its radio. All telephones are out. One thing is sure: The army controls the center of Amman and is moving steadily north wiping out pockets of resistance. Reports from Amman come in by short-wave radio. Their message is chilling: The city has no food or water and is plunged in darkness. No one moves as snipers exchange fire with the Royal artillery. Initially the fedayeen had secured the high ground surrounding the seven hills of Amman. The loyal Bedouin forces attacked at a disadvantage. But when they reached the fedayeen strongholds, after furious fighting, they found them empty. The fedayeen are retreating en masse. The report of the fedayeen radio that Amman has suffered ten thousand casualties must be exaggerated. A figure of five thousand, most of them unarmed civilians, seems more plausible. Because of lack of transportation and the type of war being waged the wounded have not been evacuated and are dying. They lack first aid, the most basic sanitary and medical service.

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Taki Theodoracopulos

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Border of Syria and Lebanon, September 19:

“Stand up and fight; give the last battle. It will mean victory against imperialism and its servants.” The message is broadcast every five minutes by Radio Damascus to all Arab countries. Another message from the fedayeen announces: “We are holding our ground. We are fighting and our morale is high. We have suffered small losses.” Amman, meanwhile, is silent. From where I am we cannot hear its radio. All telephones are out. One thing is sure: The army controls the center of Amman and is moving steadily north wiping out pockets of resistance. Reports from Amman come in by short-wave radio. Their message is chilling: The city has no food or water and is plunged in darkness. No one moves as snipers exchange fire with the Royal artillery. Initially the fedayeen had secured the high ground surrounding the seven hills of Amman. The loyal Bedouin forces attacked at a disadvantage. But when they reached the fedayeen strongholds, after furious fighting, they found them empty. The fedayeen are retreating en masse. The report of the fedayeen radio that Amman has suffered ten thousand casualties must be exaggerated. A figure of five thousand, most of them unarmed civilians, seems more plausible. Because of lack of transportation and the type of war being waged the wounded have not been evacuated and are dying. They lack first aid, the most basic sanitary and medical service.