Jordanian army announced that 27 drug smugglers trying to cross the border from Syria were killed.
In a statement made by the army, it was stated that smugglers trying to cross the border under heavy snowfall were supported by “armed groups” and some of these people fled to Syrian territory.
The statement said the soldiers seized “large quantities” of drugs after the clashes.
The UK-based organization, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, announced Tuesday night that clashes broke out between border guards and drug smugglers in two border villages in the Suwayda countryside.
‘Iron fist’
The Jordanian military says it will respond with an “iron fist” to any infiltration or smuggling attempts that threaten national security.
The army’s statement said the rules of engagement were changed after an officer was killed in clashes earlier this month.
The new rules of engagement reflect concern over the recent importation of huge quantities of amphetamine tablets with the Captagon logo into Jordan.
Captagon is widely used throughout the Middle East. Militants in Syria also say the drug helped them overcome their fears.
It is stated that Captagon is consumed a lot among wealthy youth in the Middle East and especially in the Gulf countries.
Authorities blame Hezbollah for increased smuggling
It is emphasized that most of the Captagon tablets seized in the region originate from Syria and Lebanon.
Jordanian authorities blame Hezbollah and Iran-backed militia groups active in the Syrian government-controlled south for the increase in smuggling.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Suwayda has become the center of Hezbollah’s drug trafficking and the smugglers are supported by Syrian soldiers.
Hezbollah denies the accusations.
The Syrian government states that it is doing its best to prevent the production of Captagon.
