The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the hosting of a meeting for the neighboring countries of Syria on March 9th, to discuss mechanisms for cooperation in combating terrorism, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling.
The official spokesperson for the ministry, Sufyan al-Qudah, stated that the meeting will focus on supporting the Syrian people in rebuilding their country in a manner that ensures its unity, sovereignty, and stability, according to the Jordanian news agency “Ammon.”
He added that the meeting will also address ways to ensure the voluntary return of refugees and protect the rights of all Syrian citizens.
The meeting will include representatives from Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, and Lebanon.
The meeting comes after the Gulf Cooperation Council issued the final statement of the 163rd-session of the council of ministers, which emphasized the importance of respecting Syria’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, as well as rejecting foreign interventions in its internal affairs, and that Syria’s security and stability are a fundamental pillar of regional security.
The statement condemned acts of violence aimed at destabilizing Syria and reiterated the council’s rejection of violence, terrorism, and crime.
Recently, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani met with his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi, on January 7, to discuss border security issues and drug trafficking.
The Syrian minister clarified that the new situation in Syria has ended the security threats related to smuggling operations across the borders.
For his part, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi indicated that “the stability of Syria means the stability of Jordan,” adding that Syria’s security positively reflects on Jordan, and noting that the Jordanian armed forces have countered all attempts at smuggling across the borders over the past years.
The Ministry of Interior in the interim Damascus government announced the seizure of quantities of narcotic substances that were prepared for smuggling towards Jordan and the Gulf countries on Thursday, March 6.
Additionally, Jordan thwarted a drug smuggling attempt coming from Syria on Thursday.
The Jordanian armed forces stated in a statement that border guard units clashed with groups attempting to cross the northern border within the area of responsibility of the eastern military zone.
The Jordanian forces managed to seize quantities of narcotic materials, along with an automatic weapon of the Kalashnikov type.
Syria has been a source of concern for Jordan, which has suffered over the years from organized drug smuggling attempts into its territory from Syrian lands, with such activities fluctuating in intensity over time.
Jordan has not officially accused the ousted Syrian regime of being behind the smuggling operations; however, former Jordanian officials have repeatedly claimed that Bashar al-Assad’s regime and Iran are behind these smuggling activities.