AMMAN [MENL] -- Jordan has launched a manhunt for a new Al Qaida network with suspected bases in Egypt, the Palestinian Authority and Saudi Arabia.

Jordanian security sources said the Al Qaida network was responsible for the firing of three Katyusha rockets toward Israeli and U.S. targets on Aug. 19. A Jordanian soldier was killed in the strikes in the southern port of Aqaba.

On Saturday, several suspects, including Egyptians, Iraqis, Jordanians and Kuwaitis, were arrested in Aqaba. Six other suspects -- including an Egyptian and Syrian -- were said to be at large.

It was the first time Al Qaida claimed responsibility for rocket attacks in the Levant. One rocket was fired toward two U.S. warships docked in Aqaba. A second struck a Jordanian military hospital. A third rocket was fired toward the Israeli airport of Eilat.