Ammon News - By Anas Damra

* Watch Video of Protest Below

AMMONNEWS - A group of counter-protestors on Friday attacked the vehicles of pro-reform activists following a demonstration in downtown Amman calling for genuine reform and combating corruption.

Dozens of pro-reform protestors withstood cold weather conditions and demonstrated following Friday midday prayers near Al Husseini Mosque in downtown Amman, chanting slogans against the government and calling for reforming the regime, alluding to the difficult economic conditions citizens face.

The protest was dubbed "I Am a Citizen, I Am Combustible," in reference to two citizens who set themselves on fire last week and died of injuries sustained in their self-immolation.

54 year old Yassin Zoubi set himself on fire in Nazzal neighborhood, east of Amman last Wednesday, a day after 52-year old Ahmad Matarneh was pronounced dead in the hospital after setting himself on fire the previous day because of difficult economic conditions his family faces, the family said.

On Friday, protesters blasted corrupt officials and what they described as "endemic corruption" to be the cause of Matarneh's death, who claimed that he was removed from his job at the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) after attempting to whistle-blow corruption incidents he witnessed on the job.

Protesters stood in a moment of silence and prayed for the two citizens, raising placards stating "Bread, Freedom, Social Justice," and "A Warning from my anger and my hunger," and chanted "Son of Jordan set himself on fire for not being able to provide food for his children," "Shame Shame, Jordan is on fire."

Activists this Friday chose not to march towards Al Nakhil Square as they usually do during protests on Friday since the beginning of 2011, citing poor weather conditions.

Activists and counter-protesters clashed briefly and exchanged verbal offenses before police and riot police forces dispersed the crowds.

Following Friday's protest, assailants labeling themselves as "regime loyalists" attacked the vehicles of pro-reform activists, vandalizing and causing damages to the vehicles nearly 2 kilometers away from Al Husseini mosque despite heavy security presence.

Counter-protesters lifted placards stating "Leaders of other countries burn their citizens for their survival on the throne, We Jordanians burn ourselves for our leader, whoever doesn't like it, can leave it."

No injuries were reported in the incident.