Amman: The Jordanian armed forces announced that early Sunday, they conducted strikes targeting sites used by drug and arms smugglers along the northern border in southern Syria, as reported by the state news agency, Petra. The military specified that the operation focused on facilities and warehouses that served as launch points for smuggling operations into Jordan. These sites were identified through intelligence gathering and were destroyed in precision strikes.

According to Anadolu Agency, the strikes were a response to a surge in smuggling attempts, with the military emphasizing that the action aimed to prevent the inflow of drugs and weapons into the country. Al-Ikhbariya TV in Syria, citing sources, reported that Jordanian warplanes targeted a location in Shahba village in the Suwayda province, suspected of housing weapons and narcotics. Additionally, areas near a former state security branch in the city were also reportedly targeted, with drone activity and ambulance movements noted.

In recent years, Jordan has conducted similar strikes to dismantle drug trafficking networks along its northern border with Syria. The recent operation aligns with Syria's new administration's efforts to bolster security across the country. This follows the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024 after a 24-year rule. Assad's departure to Russia marked the end of the Ba'ath Party's reign since 1963, and a transitional administration led by President Ahmad Al-Sharaa assumed office in January 2025.