Jan 23, 2024. Posted by Balkan Periscope - Hellas
Syrian
authorities condemned the recent airstrikes by the Jordanian Air Force in the
southern part of the country, labeling them as "unjustified."
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted that it attempted to contain the situation to prevent it from negatively impacting the relationship between the two nations.
The
ministry, in a statement reported by the official news agency SANA, claimed
that the strikes led to civilian casualties, including women and children, and
caused injuries.
While
Jordan justified the airstrikes by targeting individuals involved in drug
smuggling across the border, Syria argued that the strikes were inconsistent
with the agreed-upon cooperation to combat violations.
Syria
highlighted letters its Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense and security
services sent to their Jordanian counterparts, proposing practical steps to
control the borders. These letters expressed Syria's readiness to cooperate
with Jordanian civil and security institutions, but they allegedly received no
response from the Jordanian side.
In recent
weeks, the Jordanian army has intensified its campaign against drug smugglers
following clashes last month with individuals transporting drugs, weapons, and
explosives across the Syrian border.
Jordan did
not comment on the incident.
Notably,
Smugglers have used Jordan as a corridor to smuggle Captagon amphetamines out
of Syria, mainly to the Gulf countries.
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