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Syria: Fog Fails to Protect Drug Smugglers from Jordanian Bullets
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Repeated smuggling incidents on the Jordanian-Syrian border reflect the extent of Hezbollah-backed drug networks' infiltration in the region
Jordanian military forces, in coordination with their security agencies and drug enforcement administration, succeeded Sunday morning in thwarting smuggling operations on their eastern border with Syria, in a development reflecting the escalating confrontation with drug traffickers.
A military source revealed that smuggling gangs attempted to breach the border strip, taking advantage of foggy conditions and weather fluctuations to penetrate into Jordanian territory. However, the implementation of engagement rules resulted in the elimination of one smuggler, while his partners fled toward the Syrian interior, and the seizures were handed over to relevant authorities.
The smuggler's death highlights the growing challenges facing Jordan in its war against the drug scourge, with the Syrian border representing an escalating tension hotspot.
The source emphasized the armed forces' determination to continue their operations to repel infiltration and smuggling attempts, employing all their capabilities to protect Jordanian society.
Jordanian authorities and their Western allies point fingers at Lebanese Hezbollah and pro-Iranian militias, which control large areas in southern Syria, considering them the main driver of drug and weapons trade.
UN experts and Western officials revealed that illegal drug revenues support the spread of pro-Tehran militias in the region.
Iran and Hezbollah deny these accusations, considering them a "Western conspiracy" targeting Damascus, which in turn disavows the involvement of its security elements with Iranian armed groups in these operations.
Syria has become, according to Washington's estimates and Western drug enforcement officials, the main regional center for the multi-billion dollar drug trade, especially locally manufactured Captagon.
Levant-Agencies
