Jordan intensifies efforts against armed smugglers

AMMAN — Jordan is actively addressing armed groups of smugglers along its northern borders, Minister of Government Communications Muhannad Mubaidin said on Saturday. 

In a telephone interview on Al Mamlakah TV, Mubaidin, who is also the government spokesperson, stressed that these groups and criminal networks, which seek to smuggle drugs and firearms into Jordan to secure their smuggling operations, pose a serious challenge to social security and stability.

The fight against these groups is long and will not end with a single raid today or in a month, he said, noting that smuggling attempts have become a prevalent form of trade in the region, given the lax approach to dealing with this trade over the past decade, and worsened by the instability in Syria.

Calling for the urgent development of a regional strategy, Mubaidin stressed the need to confront these armed groups that attempt to smuggle drugs into any country, beyond Jordan's borders. 

Social institutions and the community should resist these groups that seek to introduce illicit drugs to their youth, he said, drawing attention to the importance of raising awareness, warning society and implementing clear strategies regarding the associated risks, and advocated decisive measures to prevent its entry and spread.

Armed clashes between Jordanian border guards and large armed groups of smugglers have been occurring along the Kingdom's northern borders since 2am on Saturday. The clashes have resulted in injuries and arrests among the smugglers and have foiled the smuggling of significant quantities of drugs and firearms.