AMMAN - Political parties on Saturday condemned an attack on protesters in the southern city of Karak on Friday, accusing security forces and the government of sponsoring thugs who carried out the assaults.

At least eight people were injured when a group of men wielding sticks and knives attacked the protesters.

The protest was spearheaded by the youth division of the National Unity Party under the motto: "Friday of sovereignty".

Ali Abul Sukkar, president of the shura council at the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, claimed that the attack meant to send a strong message to pro-reform groups and accused the government of "collaborating with the attackers.

"The government is capable of arresting any criminal, but only if it wishes to do so. I believe these attackers are being protected by the government and other parties," he charged.

Abul Sukkar said the attack was designed to "terrorise activists and stop them from pressing for reform".

"We noticed police stood in the area without interfering. I believe the two sides collaborated to target protesters," he told The Jordan Times, noting that an activist from the IAF was among the injured.

Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications and Government Spokesperson Abdullah Abu Rumman had no comment on the accusations.

Saed Thiab, secretary general of the National Unity Party, criticised the government for allowing the attack to take place, and vowed to continue pressuring for reform.

"This attack serves as motivation for more protests. The government is responsible for protecting protesters; officials should honour their word when they promised to protect us," he said.

According to a statement released by the National Unity Party, police and other members of security forces were present in the area but did nothing to protect protesters.

"We saw the police standing doing nothing, which contradicts promises communicated to us to protect protesters," the statement said.

"This type of attack will only serve to increase our desire to press for reform. We will not be intimidated by such tactics," the statement added.

The IAF also issued a statement in which it held the government responsible for the attack.

"The government is responsible for this assault… such an attack could not have taken place if police performed their duty," said the statement, sent to The Jordan Times.

"Once again, the government shows its determination to impede reform by allowing a group to attack pro-reform protesters in Karak," added the statement.

Also on Friday, leftists marched in downtown Amman, raising red flags and banners calling for the dismissal of the government and implementing constitutional amendments.

The demonstration started after Friday prayers at Al Husseini Mosque and lasted nearly half an hour.

Other protests also took place in Tafileh, where demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans and called for dissolving Parliament, according to eyewitnesses.

Pro-reform protests have declined in the past month as observers await the recommendations of the Royal committee tasked with revisiting the Constitution.