The Return of the Taliban
August 28, 2021
by Hamzeh Abu Nowar
The Jordanian armed forces announced that they foiled an attempt to smuggle "large quantities" of drugs into the country from Syria on Sunday, which killed four smugglers, many of whom were wounded, and the others fled into the depths of Syria.
During the inspection of the area, Jordanian authorities seized 637,000 Captagon narcotic pills, 39,600 Tramadol pills, 181 palm-sized sheets of hashish and a Kalashnikov weapon.
Since the beginning of the year, Jordanian border guards have prevented dozens of infiltration and smuggling operations from Syria under the control of the Syrian regime, which has helped restrict the entry of narcotic and prohibited substances into Jordan.
Due to the strong tensions at the Jordanian-Syrian border, the Jordanian monarch warned that the withdrawal of Russia from southern Syria would constitute a potential escalation of the border with Syria, as Iran and its proxies would fill this vacuum. Jordan is concerned that chaos will spread to Jordan because no party can end Iran's influence in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria.
The influence of Iranian militias and its proxies in Syria is growing, despite dozens of Israeli strikes targeting Iranian militia sites. Russia cannot stand in the way of Iran in Syria, because the two countries share common interests.
Jordanian forces have the ability to repel any penetration of Iran and its militias into Jordan and American bases in Jordan will play an important role should militias advance in the region.
Iran's missile bases deployed in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq represent a major threat to all countries in the region. Iranian militias have developed important tools that threaten neighboring countries in areas of Iranian influence, such as drones and other technologies which have reshaped military balances among countries.
The history of the Syrian-Jordanian relationship is "accusatory" and always in doubt, and in spite of everything, Jordanian policy towards Syria has remained constant. Jordan is currently campaigning to reduce "the sanctions of the Caesar act", while the Syrian regime cuts water from Jordan's Yarmouk River, by building dams and basins of water on that river.
The Jordanian government and the relevant authorities should request official clarifications and investigations from Syria on smuggling operations at the borders, stressing that hostile practices are Syria's responsibility, and that they must control their borders.
If smuggling operations continue, the Jordanian borders must be declared a "closed and prohibited military zone" until the border control process is completed, which requires coordination between the two countries.
Drug trafficking was not evident when opposition factions controlled the border with Jordan. The Syrian regime, the 4th Division and the Iranian militias are solely responsible for the numerous smuggling operations, particularly since they began to appear often after the regime took over southern Syria.
Iran's influence over Syria is a threat to the entire region, including Jordan
MENA Research Senior Analyst
Hamzeh Abu Nowar is a senior research analyst for HMSC. Covering the MENA region. He has conducted research on political violence, extremism and international conflict in the MENA region.
The Return of the Taliban
August 28, 2021
May 23, 2022
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