Army kills 27 drug smugglers at border with Syria — JAF source

AMMAN — The Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) on Thursday dawn killed 27 infiltrators as they tried to smuggle “large amounts” of narcotics from Syria into the Kingdom, a JAF source said. 

Following the directives of JAF chairman to change the rules of engagement, the Eastern Military Zone personnel, in coordination with relevant security institutions, applied the new rules of engagement and killed the 27 smugglers, and others were forced to flee back into Syria, the source said as reported by the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Due to the prevailing weather conditions and accumulating snow, army personnel implemented an initial inspection of the area and found large amounts of drugs, the source said, noting that search operations are still ongoing to ensure that the area is clean of any drugs. 

The source reiterated that the army will apply “full force” to thwart any infiltration or smuggling attempts, protecting the Kingdom’s borders, citizens and national security.