Tensions have once again escalated along the border of the two nations.
Source: AP News
The Ministry of Defense of Jordan has reported that on Wednesday, August 16th, border patrol successfully intercepted and shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle carrying explosives that attempted to breach Syrian airspace, as reported by Sarbaz.kz.
According to an official statement, border guards detected the unauthorized crossing of the drone from Syria and subsequently downed it within Jordanian territory.
This incident adds to a series of ongoing violations along the Syrian-Jordanian border, during which smugglers transport weapons and the amphetamine-like stimulant Captagon that has permeated the Middle East. Just recently, the Jordanian military announced the downing of yet another drone coming from Syria and carrying Captagon. This marks the second such occurrence in less than three weeks. Previous instances of drone-delivered weapons and narcotics from Syria were recorded in February and June.
Jordanian authorities note an increase in smuggling activities, with armed groups increasingly employing drones for these purposes. A significant portion of the Captagon produced in the region originates from Syria and Lebanon and is smuggled to the primary consumer market in the Persian Gulf.