Jordan Downplays Syria's Justifications after Drug Smuggling Intel

Jordanian soldiers patrolling along the border with Syria to prevent drug trafficking. (AFP)

Jordan downplayed the statements of the Syrian Foreign Ministry in the aftermath of airstrikes that targeted “drug dealers” in Syrian territory.
Jordanian sources said the statement of the Syrian official was a mere justification for the regime's failure and the institutions' lack of seriousness in implementing the agreements of the security meetings held last summer.
The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of anonymity, that none of the agreements at the level of specialists were reflected in controlling smuggling operations and militias' attempts to infiltrate from Syrian territory.
Syria’s foreign ministry in a statement Tuesday condemned recent presumed Jordanian airstrikes against suspected drug traffickers on Syrian territory, including one last week.
The Jordanian sources downplayed the importance of the Syrian statements, which were an "attempt to contain the anger of the southern Syrian regions", accusing the Syrian regime of supporting drug smuggling towards Jordan.
They also accused parties affiliated with the regime of risking civilians' security and safety.
However, the same sources stated that Jordan has the right to defend its borders, especially after the army changed the rules of engagement with smugglers.
Meanwhile, a well-informed Jordanian source confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the Syrian official statement was full of "misinformation."
He stressed that the Syrian side should have committed to implementing the conclusions and recommendations from the security meetings between the countries.
The source stressed that the Jordanian military and security services provided the Syrians with information about drug manufacturing sites and addresses of smugglers, but the Syrian side did not do anything over the past months, which cannot be dealt with in good faith.
A Jordanian government source who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat stated his country's desire for the Syrian regime to exercise its sovereignty and control over its land and put an end to drug manufacturing in southern Syria.
Jordan is seriously trying to support border stability and stop the flow of drugs through defensive and preventive measures, said the source, adding that Amman does not want to embarrass the Syrians who have appeared as sponsors of Iranian militias.
On Tuesday, Syria said there was "no justification" for airstrikes that Jordan has launched into its territory.
The official Syrian statement came after Jordan insisted on its defensive stance in response to drug gangs coming from within Syria.
Jordan did not comment on reports concerning the Jordanian Air Force conducting four air sorties targeting drug factories in Daraa and al-Suwaida.
A few days ago, Asharq Al-Awsat published a report on the turning point in confronting the threat of drug smuggling gangs supported by Iranian militias and military units affiliated with the regime and others belonging to Maher al-Assad, brother of President Bashar al-Assad.
Last December, the army arrested nine smugglers and killed others. They unveiled their organized smuggling operations in the Syria’s eastern regions during investigations.
The situation necessitated the implementation of qualitative military operations that resulted in the arrest of dangerous criminals, as well as vast quantities of narcotic drugs and weapons.
Earlier this month, the security services arrested 15 smugglers and killed five others. A few days later, a "special force" raided the smuggler's hideouts, during which they detained seven associates of the gangs.
Unverified reports indicated that Jordanian businessmen and affiliates of several politicians are suspected of cooperating with smugglers.
According to informed sources, Jordanians are likely to question within days some of the smugglers from inside Syria, which will reveal details of their operations. The confessions are also expected to uncover part of the drug economy that Syrian institutions protected.