Jordanian Army Clashes with Drug Traffickers Linked to Iranian-Backed Militants

The Jordanian army announced that during a clash on Monday morning, December 18, with armed drug dealers along the Syrian border, several firearms and a quantity of drugs were discovered and seized. According to Reuters, officials stated that the armed individuals were linked to Iranian-backed militants who seek to undermine Jordan's security. The Jordanian army reported that infiltrators fled across the border after injuring several army personnel. The seized weapons included automatic rifles and rockets. Jordanian officials, like their Western allies, claim that Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militants, who control large parts of southern Syria, are behind the wave of drug and arms trafficking. Hezbollah has denied these accusations, and the Islamic Republic of Iran describes them as part of Western conspiracies against the country. The Jordanian army stated, 'In recent days, we have witnessed an increase in operations by armed groups—from infiltration and smuggling attempts to armed clashes aimed at crossing the border and attacking border guards.' The army has stated that it will continue to track Syrian armed groups and prevent any attempts to undermine the national security of the country. UN experts and American officials say that the illegal drug trade helps finance Iranian-backed militants that have emerged after more than a decade of conflict in Syria. The Jordanian army has previously shot down drones carrying drugs that were reportedly entering its airspace from Iranian-backed militants in southern Syria. Iranian-backed militants have been accused of expanding the drug network in Syria. Jordan has requested the U.S. to deploy Patriot air defense systems. The U.S. has sanctioned cousins of Bashar al-Assad involved in jihadist drug trafficking. Saudi Arabia reported thwarting an attempt by Hezbollah to smuggle drugs.