Parents of Three Green Berets killed in Jordan, 2016 demand extradition of killer

Green Berets — Staff Sgt James Moriarty, 27, Staff Sgt Kevin McEnroe, 30, and Staff Sgt Matthew Lewellen, 27 – were from the 5th Special Forces group, based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky .

A Jordanian soldier opened fire at the King Faisal base, killing the three Green Berets. The Special Forces were training Syrian troops in Jordan.

First Sergeant Maarek Abu Tayeh was tried and given a life sentence in Jordan.

“The court issued its ruling against Abu Tayeh in accordance with Jordanian law and the charges against him, after confronting him with evidence, video that proved he was guilty and his own confession of murdering the US soldiers,” inworld reported at the time.

In 2018, the fathers of the three Green Berets filed a law suit against the Kingdom of Jordan, accusing the Jordan authorities of covering up for the killer and for the motives for the murders, according to Army Times . The Jordanians accused the Americans of violating protocol for entrance and exit to the base, and claimed that the men had been drinking alcohol. The claims were disproven as seen in the video above.

The grieving parents have not given up and have sent a letter to Congress, requesting the extradition of Abu Tayeh and requesting that the U.S. discontinue foreign aid to the Kingdom until Jordan compels with the demands. A major concern is that although he was given a life sentence, Abu Tayeh may be released early.

“We support (al-Tamimi’s) extradition, along with a U.S. prosecution of the murderer of our sons, We also hope all of the families of Americans killed by Jordanians finally get some measure of justice. King Abdullah should remember this: We will not stop until we do” Green Beret Moriarty’s father, James said as Stars and Stripes reported.