Jordanian Border Forces Clash with Smugglers, Killing Four

Jordanian soldiers patrol the border with Syria. AP
Jordanian soldiers patrol the border with Syria. AP
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Jordanian Border Forces Clash with Smugglers, Killing Four

Jordanian soldiers patrol the border with Syria. AP
Jordanian soldiers patrol the border with Syria. AP

Jordanian border forces clashed on Thursday with armed smuggling groups attempting to cross the northern border from Syria into Jordan, the Jordan Armed forces said in a statement.
The clashes resulted in the death of four smugglers, while the remaining individuals retreated into Syrian territory.
According to the statement, the smugglers had attempted to exploit poor weather conditions and dense fog to cross the border, but Jordanian forces "applied engagement rules to prevent their infiltration."
Large quantities of narcotics and weapons were seized and transferred to the relevant authorities, the armed forces said.

In January, Jordan and Syria agreed to form a joint security committee to secure their border, combat arms and drug smuggling and work to prevent the resurgence of ISIS militants.