Amman: As regional military tensions turn the skies into a high-altitude minefield, Jordanian security experts and officials are issuing an urgent warning: the metallic debris falling from intercepted missiles and drones are not mere scraps, but "timed bombs" that pose a lethal threat to anyone nearby. Military research indicates that intercepted missiles do not simply vaporize in the atmosphere. Instead, they fragment into jagged pieces - some weighing dozens of kilograms - that plummet at terminal velocity, turning into high-speed projectiles upon impact.
According to Jordan News Agency, security experts highlight a critical technical risk: between 10% and 30% of components in certain missile systems remain hazardous after hitting the ground. This danger stems from residual explosives, backup firing systems, and toxic propellants. Warheads or boosters that did not fully detonate, secondary triggers that can be activated by movement or touch, and highly flammable or corrosive rocket fuel remain serious concerns.
Strategic expert Bashir Al-Da'aja emphasized that public awareness is now the "first line of defense." He warned that "curiosity-driven" behaviors-such as approaching fallen objects to touch, move, or film them from a close distance-can turn a non-lethal event into a tragedy. Al-Da'aja stated that numerous incidents in conflict zones have demonstrated how debris can explode unexpectedly when handled. Pieces weighing 20 to 30 kilograms falling from high altitudes can cause devastating damage even without exploding.
Retired Major General Mahmoud Ardissat echoed these concerns, advising citizens to remain indoors during active aerial escalations. He cautioned that some missiles fall without exploding, making them even more volatile due to contamination with explosive residue that poses the risk of permanent disability or death if disturbed.
Colonel Amer Al-Sartawi, spokesperson for the Public Security Directorate, reported on Saturday that civil defense and police teams have already responded to 207 reports of fallen drones and missile fragments across various governorates. While most debris landed in open areas, some struck residential zones, resulting in 14 injuries, most of which were classified as minor.
The Public Security Directorate has re-issued a strict safety directive for all residents. The guidelines include not approaching foreign objects or metallic fragments, reporting them immediately by calling the emergency number 911, avoiding crowding at impact sites to facilitate the work of disposal teams, and relying solely on official military and government sources to avoid panic-inducing rumors.