Iran-backed militias are behind drug smuggling, Jordan says
Military accuses ‘undisciplined’ Syrian forces of supporting groups that bring narcotics into kingdom
Iranian militias and members of the Syrian security forces are behind a sharp increase in attempts to smuggle millions of dollars worth of drugs over the border into Jordan and towards the Gulf, the kingdom’s military has said.
The Jordanian army’s efforts to tackle smuggling attempts have led to shoot-outs with cartels and the downing of drug drones.
The statement issued by the military on Monday marks the first time Jordan has directly accused Syrian military units of ties to the regional drugs trade.
“The Jordanian armed forces are confronting a drugs war on the border,” said Col Mustafa Al Hiyari, head of Jordan’s military media.
“The smuggling is being led by organisations supported by outside parties. These Iranian militias are the most dangerous because they target Jordan’s national security.
“They sometimes receive support from undisciplined groups from [within] the Syrian border guards.”
Jordan is trying to confront an increase in drug smuggling, particularly involving Captagon pills.
It has sought to repair ties with Syria in a bid to secure co-operation from Damascus to help curb the illicit trade.
On Sunday, four smugglers were killed in a shoot-out with the Jordanian military as they tried to cross the border from Syria. Although some of the Captagon is ultimately sold on the Jordanian market, most is smuggled by gangs through the kingdom and on towards the Gulf, officials have said.
Last year, Russia, which has troops in parts of Syria near the border with Jordan, arranged talks between Amman and Damascus to discuss security concerns and co-operation.
The UN and Arab security officials have said pro-Iranian militias connected to Hezbollah are part of the Captagon cartels in Syria.
The officials said the cartels operated mainly in areas controlled by the Fourth Division, a military unit led by Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s brother Maher.
During a visit to the US last week, Jordan’s King Abdullah II said he expected Iran to extend its influence into Syrian territory along the border, as Russia focuses on its invasion of Ukraine.
Iran’s influence in southern Jordan has also been a major concern for Israel, which has carried out dozens of air strikes and operations against Hezbollah and Iranian units in the area to deter their forces.