https://arab.news/6zymj
AMMAN: The Jordanian Army has shot down a drone bringing a cargo of highly addictive crystal methamphetamine drugs from Syria into its northern region.
Jordan blamed pro-Iranian militias protected by units in the Syrian Army for smuggling drugs across its borders toward lucrative markets in the Gulf.
The sharp rise in smuggling attempts forced Jordan to change army rules of engagement along the border last year, giving its military the authority to use overwhelming force.
“We are continuing to deal with resolve and force with any threat to our borders and any attempt to destabilize the security of the nation,” the army said on Tuesday.
Syria has become the region’s main site for a multibillion-dollar drug trade, with Jordan a main transit route to the Gulf states for the Syrian-made amphetamine Captagon.
Jordanian officials say they have raised their concerns with Syrian authorities, and although they have received pledges they say they have not seen any real attempt to clamp down on the illicit trade.
Amman carried out rare airstrikes on southern Syria last month, hitting an Iran-linked drugs factory and killing a smuggler behind big drug hauls across the border.
The bombing was a message to Damascus that it should not mistake Amman’s resolve at a time when it was involved in an Arab effort to end Syria’s estrangement, security officials said.
Jordan has requested more US military aid to bolster security on the 375 km-long border with Syria.