Jordanian Jets Conduct Strikes on Suspected Drug Smugglers in Syria
In a continued effort to combat drug smuggling, Jordanian jets conducted four strikes inside Syria on Tuesday. This marks the second raid within a week against suspected farms and hideouts of Iran-linked drug smugglers. Jordan’s army has intensified its campaign against drug dealers following clashes last month with individuals suspected of having ties to pro-Iranian militias. These individuals were found carrying large quantities of drugs, weapons, and explosives over the border between Jordan and Syria.
The surge in smuggling has been attributed to Lebanon-based, Iran-backed Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian militias that control much of southern Syria. Jordan and its Western allies have accused them of being behind the increase in drug trafficking. However, Iran and Hezbollah have dismissed these allegations as a Western plot against Syria. The Syrian government also denies any complicity with Iran-backed militias that opponents link to its security forces.
According to regional intelligence sources, three of the strikes targeted leading drug dealers in the towns of Shaab and Arman in Sweida province, near the Jordan-Syria border. The fourth strike hit a farm near the village of Malah. Last Thursday, Jordan conducted similar operations in Sweida, where officials suspect a significant portion of cross-border smuggling takes place.
Civic activist and researcher Ryan Marouf believes that the Jordanian strikes are specifically targeting farms suspected of storing drugs before they are smuggled across the border. Additionally, they are targeting the main homes and hideouts of known drug dealers. Marouf, who is also the editor of Suwayda 24, stated that these recent strikes indicate an escalation by Jordan in its war against drug dealers.
While there have been unconfirmed reports of three casualties, including a leading local drug dealer, it is clear that Jordan is determined to crack down on drug smuggling. The country has received promises of US military aid to enhance its security measures. The United States has already provided approximately $1 billion to establish border posts since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011, according to Jordanian officials.
Experts from the United Nations, as well as US and European officials, have highlighted that the illicit drug trade in Syria finances pro-Iranian militias and pro-government paramilitary forces. These groups have emerged during the prolonged conflict in the region. Syria has become the main hub for a multi-billion-dollar drug trade, with Jordan serving as a crucial transit route to oil-rich Gulf states for a Syrian-made amphetamine called captagon, according to anti-narcotics officials from the US and Western countries.
The ongoing efforts by Jordan to combat drug smuggling are crucial not only for its own security but also for regional stability. By targeting drug dealers and their hideouts, Jordan aims to disrupt the financing of pro-Iranian militias and paramilitary forces in Syria. This will ultimately contribute to reducing the influence and power of these groups, which have been a destabilizing force in the region.
As the war on drugs continues, it is essential for countries like Jordan to receive support from their allies in combating drug smuggling networks. By disrupting these networks, countries can weaken the financial resources of illicit groups and contribute to a safer and more stable region. The recent strikes by Jordanian jets demonstrate the country’s determination to tackle this issue head-on and protect its borders from the harmful effects of drug trafficking.