Jordan: Injuries and Arrests of Smugglers During Clashes on the Northern Border

A Jordanian military source reported that armed clashes occurred between border guard forces and armed groups of smugglers along the northern border, resulting in injuries and the arrest of several smugglers, as well as the thwarting of drug and weapon smuggling attempts. The source confirmed that "since two o'clock this morning, Saturday, armed clashes have been taking place between the Jordanian border guard forces and large armed groups of smugglers, and efforts are underway to push these armed groups back into Syrian territory." The source noted that "the past days have seen an increase in the number of these operations, shifting from attempts at infiltration and smuggling to armed clashes aimed at forcefully crossing the border by targeting border guard forces." Additionally, the source stated, "the armed forces are monitoring the movements of these groups and their attempts to destabilize national security, and will take all necessary actions to deter and pursue them wherever they may be."