NNew resurgence of tension between Amman and Tehran? In an interview with the official Al Ra’i daily published on Sunday, Abdallah II also accused Iran “interference in Arab countries” and stressed that Jordan “faced regular attacks on its borders from Iran-linked militias”.
“A change in Iran’s behavior (…) would be good for everyone”he said. “Jordan, like the rest of the Arab countries, seeks to have good relations with Iran in mutual respect, good neighborliness, respect for the sovereignty of States and non-interference in their affairs”said the Hashemite sovereign, advocating “dialogue to settle differences”.
Evoking “drug and arms trafficking targeting Jordan just like its brothers (Arab countries, editor’s note), and which arrive in Europe”Abdullah II indicated that Jordan was coordinating with these countries “to deal with it and protect its borders. But the challenges remain and we will continue to do what is necessary to meet them and protect our security and our interests.”he pointed out.
The Jordanian army regularly carries out operations against drug traffickers on the Syrian border where the fight against this scourge has intensified in recent months. On January 27, she announced that she had killed 27 drug traffickers who were trying to introduce with the support of “armed groups” large quantities of narcotics from Syria.
Ten days earlier, a Jordanian officer was killed and three border guards were injured in a clash with drug smugglers on the Syrian border, according to the Jordanian army. A border guard died a few days later.
According to organizations monitoring drug trafficking, the bulk of the production of captagon, an amphetamine-type stimulant almost exclusively manufactured and consumed in the Middle East, comes from government-controlled areas in Syria.
According to Amman, 85% of the drugs seized are intended for smuggling out of Jordan. Jordan, which has hosted around 1.6 million Syrian refugees since the outbreak of the conflict in Syria in 2011, has tightened procedures at its border with Syria in recent years.