The instance of fighting that began in September 1970 was a culmination of long-standing tensions between the Jordanian government and Palestinian guerrillas, primarily associated with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Following the aftermath of the 1967 Six-Day War, many Palestinians moved into Jordan, which subsequently saw the guerrilla organizations grow in strength. The PLO began to operate openly and established a de facto state within a state, leading to severe strains in the relations between the Palestinian factions and the Jordanian monarchy led by King Hussein.

As armed confrontations escalated, Jordanian authorities attempted to reassert their control over the territory and maintain order, fearing that the guerrilla activities could lead to a complete destabilization of the country. The friction reached a breaking point when King Hussein took decisive action to quell the growing unrest, which escalated into a violent confrontation known as Black September. Street battles erupted in cities such as Amman, as Jordanian forces engaged in fierce clashes with PLO fighters. The conflict would last for several weeks, dramatically reshaping Jordan's political landscape.

Moreover, the uprising and subsequent government response marked a turning point in Arab-Jordanian relations and led to a significant alteration in the role of Palestinian organizations. Many Palestinians were expelled from Jordan, and the PLO's military foothold in the region was diminished, which, in turn, altered the trajectory of the Palestinian cause and the dynamics of the Middle East conflict for years to come.