Jordan Faces Organized Drug and Weapons Smuggling from Syria

Jordan Faces Organized Drug and Weapons Smuggling from Syria
Increasing organized smuggling operations on the Jordanian-Syrian border reveals involvement of Iran-backed armed groups in drug and weapons trade
November 24, 2024, 8:41 pm

المخدرات \ تعبيرية

The Jordanian army initiated a new security operation on the Syrian border today, Sunday, resulting in the elimination of one infiltrator and the arrest of six others who attempted to breach the border from the Syrian side.

Jordanian officials are monitoring a notable escalation in infiltration attempts in recent weeks, especially by drug and weapons smuggling networks linked to Iran-backed armed groups controlling southern Syria.

Read also: After Assad's Visit.. Saudi Arabia Arrests Officials Involved in Drug Smuggling

Jordanian border guards face "organized" smuggling operations using advanced technologies like drones and supported by armed groups, which has prompted the kingdom to employ its air force in countering these threats and shooting down smuggling drones.

The Hashemite Kingdom, which hosts about 1.6 million Syrian refugees, bears an additional burden in combating Captagon pill smuggling, while Damascus denies involvement in these operations and claims to be making efforts to limit them.

Recent months have witnessed a series of bloody confrontations, with five smugglers killed and four others wounded in February, while January clashes resulted in the elimination of five smugglers and the arrest of 15 others.

December 2023 recorded three violent confrontations resulting in casualties among Jordanian border guards, in addition to the arrest of nine smugglers possessing drugs and various weapons.

The growing Captagon industry in Syria since the outbreak of conflict in 2011 poses an escalating security challenge for Jordan, especially with the border area becoming an open confrontation zone with organized smuggling networks.

Levant-Agencies

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