Areas outside Damascus control floods Jordan's border with drugs, drone incursions

• An official source warned ungoverned southern Syria shelters terrorists and smugglers threatening Jordan
• Jordanian strikes killed 24+ Daesh militants, destroying major arms and narcotics depots
• Jordan stopped 160 northern border smuggling operations in 2026, seizing massive contraband
• Damascus condemned the strikes, but Amman confirmed coordinating targets linked to the Humud church attack
• Patience "Run Out": Jordan warned its patience with border terror threats is exhausted

An informed Jordanian source revealed that areas in southern Syria outside the control of the Syrian government have become havens for terrorist elements and drug traffickers near Jordan's northern border, noting that gatherings in those areas served as launchpads for operations targeting Jordanian security.

The source explained that Jordan works to protect its borders from sites that launch operations threatening its security and stability amid the presence of areas outside regular Syrian security control, emphasizing that the Kingdom faces the dangers of terrorist activity along its northern frontier.

The source indicated that the death toll from Jordanian airstrikes targeting sites of the terrorist organization Daesh in southern Syria has risen to at least 24 militants.

The source highlighted links between Daesh operatives and drug trafficking networks that recently resumed activity in southern Syria.

The Royal Jordanian Air Force of the Jordanian Armed Forces – Arab Army carried out airstrikes on Tuesday night targeting areas in southern Syria and deployment points of terrorist elements affiliated with Daesh.

The source affirmed that the strike coordinates were precise, noting Jordan's readiness and openness to cooperate with the Syrian side to conduct a security assessment, enhance cooperation, and exchange intelligence.

In contrast, the Syrian government condemned and rejected the Jordanian strikes on southern Syria, denying in an official statement any coordination with the Jordanian side and considering the strikes a violation that caused civilian deaths.

However, matching Jordanian sources affirmed that the relevant authorities coordinated with the Syrian side to target specific areas using verified coordinates, aimed at striking Daesh elements who were in contact with the terrorist cell that executed the Humud church operation last Friday.

Regarding the security situation on the border, the Jordanian source noted that the Kingdom's northern frontier facing southern Syria has seen protection and control through unilateral Jordanian efforts since 2012.

The source explained that Jordan has confronted numerous militias and terrorist groups active in southern Syria that threaten national security and Jordanian civilian safety.

According to intelligence information, the airstrikes destroyed depots containing large quantities of weapons and narcotics situated in areas surrounding As-Suwayda and the Syrian Badia.

The source added that intelligence reports monitored joint activity between the targeted terrorist organizations in southern Syria and border smuggling networks, noting a recent rise in thwarted operations, which was described as a dangerous development for Jordanian national security.

160 infiltration, smuggling plots foiled since 2026

The number of infiltration and smuggling attempts handled by the Jordanian Armed Forces – Arab Army on the Jordanian-Syrian border frontage since the beginning of the current year reached 160 attempts, comprising 22 infiltration operations and 138 drug and weapons smuggling operations.

The seized items included massive quantities of pills and narcotics, alongside large amounts of weapons, explosives, and technical equipment such as drones, GPS tracking devices, and communication gear.

Smuggling networks have deployed modern methods, including drones and balloons, increasing the burden of border surveillance, control, and pursuit of smuggling launch points.

For his part, Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Al-Momani affirmed that the Kingdom’s patience regarding the movements of terrorist organizations and their targeting of national security has run out, in remarks pointing to the potential renewal of confrontation with Daesh, which has repositioned some of its cells in parts of southern Syria.

According to observers, it is not ruled out that the organization may resume contact from the outside with sleeper cells inside Jordan amid security developments along the border.

During the years 2024, 2025, and 2026, Jordan carried out a number of airstrikes targeting drug trafficking networks, arms smuggling gangs, and terrorist organizations in coordination with the Syrian government and under security understandings and joint intelligence coordination, with the aim of protecting Syrians and Jordanians from terror merchants.