'Jordan transfers bodies of three smugglers to Syria,' says Syrian press

MENA

Published: 2024-02-21 16:58

Last Updated: 2024-04-27 16:35


'Jordan transfers bodies of three smugglers to Syria,' says Syrian press
'Jordan transfers bodies of three smugglers to Syria,' says Syrian press

Jordanian authorities handed over the bodies of three smugglers, one of whom was a soldier in the Syrian army, to the Syrian side on Monday. The three were killed on the Syrian-Jordanian border on the 7th of this month, according to Syrian press.

Sweida 24 cited unidentified sources as saying that Jordan delivered the three bodies through the Nasib border crossing to the Syrian security agencies, which then transferred them to the Daraa National Hospital. Two of the deceased are from Daraa tribes, Hatem and Munir Shihab, while the third was a member of the Syrian army from Aleppo province.


Also Read: Five smugglers killed, four arrested in armed clashes: Jordanian army


Notably, the third casualty was identified as Jamal Naji Al-Hallou, nicknamed "Abu Naji," and was confirmed to be a member of the Syrian army by Sweida 24's exclusive sources. He served in a military unit near the town of Mleha in the eastern countryside of Sweida province.

Sweida 24 said that this marks the second instance of Jordanian authorities delivering the bodies of Syrian smugglers killed on the border between the two countries since the beginning of this month. In a previous incident last month, Jordan handed over the bodies of seven casualties through the Nasib crossing.

Jordan has repeatedly accused Syrian entities of involvement in drug smuggling operations between the two countries. The presence of a Syrian soldier among the deceased smugglers corroborates the Jordanian narrative.

Jordan neither confirmed nor denied Sweida 24's report. However, the Jordanian Armed Forces did announce their intention to protect the country from those who would threat Jordan's national security, emphasizing the military's unwavering commitment to employing all available resources to combat any threats.

In Januray, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates stated that drug and weapon smuggling across the Syrian borders into Jordan poses a danger to national security, and that the Kingdom will continue to confront this threat and anyone behind it.

Dr. Sufian Al-Qudah, the ministry's official spokesperson, stated that Jordan provided the Syrian government, during the meetings of the joint committee formed by both countries, with names of smugglers, the entities behind them, locations of drug manufacturing and storage, and smuggling routes.

These locations fall under the control of the Syrian government. However, no real action has been taken to neutralize this threat, and smuggling attempts have rather increased.


Also Read: No measures taken by Syria to stop smuggling attempts, says Foreign Ministry statement


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