Jordan’s army clashes with Iran-backed infiltrators
Jordan’s army said on December 18 that it seized weapons and drugs in dawn clashes with militants at the Syrian border, according to Reuters.
Syria’s border is home to a collection of Iran-backed militias who “seek to undermine the nation’s security” according to officials.
The gunmen had reached the border after injuring several army personnel. Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups have a tight grip of southern Syria and are prolific in their weapon and drug smuggling operations.
Jordan’s army noted that they seized automatic rifles and rockets.
“The last few days have seen a spike in these operations that are changing from infiltration attempts and smuggling to armed clashes with the goal of crossing the border by force and targeting border guards,” the army said.
READ: US urges Assad regime to subdue Iran-backed militias
The militants have American troops based in Syria in their sights as on November 13, they attacked US forces four times in the space of 24 hours.
In response to repeated attacks, America carried out fighter jet precision airstrikes last month on two bases that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, recognised as a terror group by the United States, were using in Syria’s east.
Washington has previously called on veteran Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to do more to address the issue of Iran-backed militias running riot in the country.
At a time where the Middle East is in crisis, Syria is seeing an ongoing civil war which originally erupted because of Assad’s crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011. There are fears that neighbouring countries could be dragged into the escalating conflict between Gaza-controlling militants Hamas and Israel.
Reuters
