Given the fast-paced events unfolding in the region due to Israel’s war on Gaza, only major developments are making headlines.
With escalations in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria dominating the news cycle, the unfolding developments in Jordan, though deeply concerning, are being relegated to the background.
Consequently, the substantial security threats posed by Iranian-backed groups to the Kingdom receive scant coverage.
These risks encompass heightened arms smuggling from Syria, exposure to the crossfire of military escalation against Israel, calls for violence by Hamas’ paramilitary wing and offers to support armed resistance inside Jordan.
Given the gravity of these developments and the imminent risks they pose, it's crucial to shed light on these threats to give them the attention they deserve. Failing to do so risks further escalations in Jordan, potentially propelling it to become the new headline.
Arms smuggling escalation
The 370-kilometer border between Jordan and Syria has long been a significant transit point for trafficking, particularly since the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011.
While smuggling operations have traditionally focused on transporting drugs through Jordan to the lucrative Arab Gulf market, recent months have seen a troubling new trend emerge, raising security concerns to new heights.
In the wake of the conflict in Gaza, Jordanian authorities have reported a notable surge in attempts to smuggle arms from Syria into the West Bank via Jordanian territory.
These arms, ranging from artillery rockets to guided weapons and explosives, are purportedly destined for insurgent groups in both Jordan and the occupied West Bank.
Furthermore, Jordan has witnessed the emergence of a new style of smuggling operation marked by heightened violence and direct confrontations with the Jordanian army.
Jordanian authorities squarely place responsibility for these smuggling activities on the Syrian state, citing its failure to counter such illicit operations.
However, the situation appears to be even more dire. According to Jordanian security officials and members of the Syrian opposition, the smugglers receive direct assistance from Iran-backed groups, including Hezbollah and the Syrian regime.
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