Jordan is facing an unusual threat and some
pundits have called it “a full-fledged and open war.” In this month alone the
Jordanian Armed Forces have thwarted a number of narcotics smuggling operations
coming from
Syria, at least two of which used drones. And it is not drugs alone
that Jordan is fighting to stop, but an alignment between drug cartels in Syria
and terrorist organizations that could use the financial windfall to finance
operations not only against the Kingdom but beyond.
اضافة اعلان
Jordan's mounting frustration with the Syrian
regime's inability to curtail what is termed an "organized" smuggling
network has intensified. This sprawling network stretches from Lebanon to
southern Syria and has earned Syria the moniker of a significant narco-state.
At its core is a multi-billion-dollar drug smuggling operation, primarily
dealing in the synthetic addictive stimulant known as Captagon, colloquially
referred to as the "poor man's cocaine." These pills, priced at
approximately $3 each, are produced in labs located in southern Syria. Their
distribution extends through Jordan, the GCC states, and even into Europe.
Border soldiers given a free hand in dealing
with smugglers
The Jordanian army altered its rules of
engagement two years ago to give its border soldiers a free hand in dealing
with smugglers. In January 2022, it killed 27 smugglers trying to cross the
375kilometer-border with Syria. Last May, the Jordanian air force is said to have
carried out a raid hitting an Iran-linked drugs factory and killing a smuggler
allegedly behind big hauls across the two countries' border. However, Jordan
never acknowledged the raid officially.
Assad never offered a response
This issue has now evolved into a pressing security
dilemma for Jordan. When Jordan reestablished its land borders with Syria
following the recapture of the Daraa border crossing by
Syrian government forces in 2018, there was an expectation that the drug smuggling operations
could be addressed through dialogue with Damascus. Efforts were made, including
high-level discussions with President Bashar Assad. Jordan also played a
pivotal role in encouraging others to normalize relations with the regime,
culminating in Assad's participation at the Arab Summit in Jeddah last May.
Jordan, together with Saudi Arabia and other nations, advocated for a political
resolution to the Syrian crisis. Assad
never offered a response.
The relationship between the Syrian regime and the drug smuggling cartel has always been in question. Facing biting Western sanctions, the regime is believed to have allowed, and benefitted from, drug networks to function freely for economic and political reasons. Jordan had expressed its reservations about the complicity of Syrian officers in the smuggling operations. The concerns, again, were never addressed.
A relationship that has always been in question
The relationship between the Syrian regime
and the drug smuggling cartel has always been in question. Facing biting
Western sanctions, the regime is believed to have allowed, and benefitted from,
drug networks to function freely for economic and political reasons. Jordan had
expressed its reservations about the complicity of Syrian officers in the
smuggling operations. The concerns, again, were never addressed.
Fears of terrorist networks
Now, there are fears that terrorist networks,
including Daesh, are regrouping in southern Syria and may benefit financially
from drug smuggling operations. Katrina Sammour, a Jordanian security analyst,
wrote in her blog this week that the resurgence of Daesh’s Wilayat Houran (the
name of the South Syria branch of Daesh) has been quietly unfolding in the
south of Syria. Since the beginning of 2022, this extremist group has been
methodically enhancing its presence, particularly in areas surrounding Daraa,
Badiyat As-Suwaida, and
Syrian Badia. She adds that while there is no evidence
connecting Wilayet Houran to any drug trafficking in the south, which is
primarily monopolized by Iran-backed groups and armed forces tied to the Assad
regime. There is also not evidence so far of outside funding.
Experts are calling it
Sammour said that the possibility of fighters
crossing the border and launching attacks within Jordan drives constant
attention and resources from the Kingdom. This adds additional danger to the
border which is already facing an onslaught of Captagon and Crystal meth
smuggling in goods, armed attempts, and even drones. While no evidence
shows a tie to drug smuggling, how long until attempted weapons smuggling or
trafficking of fighters becomes an issue?
Meanwhile, two prominent Jordanian newspaper
columnists have hinted at the need to give the Jordanian military a free hand.
Writing in Al-Ghad daily, Maher Abu Tair, said that Jordan is “angry with
Damascus” because the latter has done nothing to address Jordanian concerns. He
talked about how Jordan has, so far, avoided creating a buffer zone in southern
Syria, similar to the Turkish buffer zone in the north, because it was hoping
that the
Syrian government would take action.
Tair said that this is a security file that
has to be taken away from politicians, but added that a buffer zone cannot be
implemented without regional and American participation.
On the same day, Malek Athamneh, a Jordanian
commentator also writing in Al-Ghad, said that this was an “open war’ and
blamed Jordanian diplomacy for avoiding embarrassment in dealing with Syria. He
referred to US plans to back Jordan in its war against drugs coming from Syria
and blamed Damascus for not honoring its promises.
So where does Jordan go from here? Imposing a buffer zone inside Syria will serve two main immediate objectives: Stem the drug smuggling and cripple terrorist organizations from coming close to Jordanian borders. But such an operation requires international backing and will be costly to maintain. It will not be welcomed by the Syrian regime, which as of yet has to choose between backing the drug ring and normalizing ties with Jordan and the rest of the Arab countries.
Both were probably referring to statements
made by US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, who
told a Jordanian news channel that drug smuggling is a very dangerous matter,
especially if it is linked to terrorism, as many terrorist organizations are
linked in one way or another to drug trafficking gangs.
So where does Jordan go from here?
So where does Jordan go from here? Imposing a
buffer zone inside Syria will serve two main immediate objectives: Stem the
drug smuggling and cripple terrorist organizations from coming close to
Jordanian borders. But such an operation requires international backing and
will be costly to maintain. It will not be welcomed by the Syrian regime, which
as of yet has to choose between backing the drug ring and normalizing ties with
Jordan and the rest of the Arab countries.
But it is important to note that Jordan is
mainly a transit county for drugs coming from Syria. GCC countries are a
destination as well as Europe.
The smuggling network has to be crushed and
so do the labs scattered in southern Syria. Whatever Jordan chooses to do must
be supported by regional countries as well as the US. Cutting any funding to
terrorist groups is as important.
Osama Al Sharif is a journalist and political
commentator based in Amman.
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