Among the top security concerns of the Jordan Armed Forces is defending the country’s long border with Syria and Iraq. Internal conflict in those neighboring countries led to breakdowns in border security that challenged Jordan in the form of smuggling and infiltration.
In light of recent political change in Syria, Unipath discussed the state of Jordan’s international borders with Jordanian Border Guard Commander Brig. Gen. Jehad Hamoud Al Adwan of the Jordan Armed Forces/Arab Army.
Unipath: What is the state of border security after the fall of the Assad regime in Syria?
Brig. Gen. Al Adwan: The Jordan Armed Forces continued to take all security measures previously in place along the Jordanian-Syrian border after the fall of the regime, taking into account the instability of the security situation inside Syria (especially in southern Syria) and the regime’s failure to impose full control over the Syrian-Jordanian border. Nevertheless, after the fall of the Syrian regime, smuggling operations using all available methods and means such as people, balloons and drones declined. This decline included the smuggling of various types of narcotics. The smuggling of weapons and explosives, and infiltration by terrorist elements such as Daesh and other armed militias, also dropped due to the decline of the influence of Iranian militias and Lebanese Hezbollah, which used to run smuggling networks in cooperation with the former Syrian regime. The new Syrian administration has made efforts to combat smuggling. We aren’t relaxing our vigilance, however. The terrorist organization Daesh continues to operate in scattered areas of southern Syria, within the limits of its capabilities.
Unipath: How can you cooperate with neighboring countries such as Iraq and Lebanon to help combat drug trafficking?
Brig. Gen. Al Adwan: There are several options for enhancing cooperation with neighboring countries to curb smuggling. We continuously exchange intelligence to uncover any smuggling plans. This often happens through liaison officers. We also share the results of investigations into smuggling networks once we make arrests of their members. Each country has also attempted to strengthen security systems along all borders, including electronic surveillance.
Unipath: What border hot spots require greater vigilance?
Brig. Gen. Al Adwan: Many hot spots continue to witness ongoing smuggling operations from Syrian territories, namely from Syrian desert areas east of the Jordanian border stretching from Suwayda governorate to the Iraqi border. This includes the regions of Al-Hamad, Al-Hara, Al-Suriya, Al-Shaab, Talul Al-Safa and Al-Zalf. It should be noted that these areas are not yet under the full control of the new Syrian administration. The Jordanian-Israeli border is currently considered a hot spot due to the infiltration of foreign nationals from Jordan into Israel in search of work, the smuggling of drugs from Israel into Jordan using drones and attempts to smuggle handguns from Jordan into Israel.
Unipath: How have international partners supported Jordan in securing the border?
Brig. Gen. Al Adwan: By providing intelligence support, ongoing coordination, and exchange of information related to cross-border security threats, particularly information related to the activities of the Daesh, Iranian militias, and smuggling networks in areas adjacent to the Jordanian border. The border security system operated by the Jordan Armed Forces, such as surveillance devices, radars and night and day cameras, was established as a result of direct support from the United States. The U.S. — with help from Canada — has also strengthened the infrastructure of the Jordanian Border Guard, not to mention training and courses to enhance the skills of troops.
Unipath: How has modern technology such as drones and thermal cameras changed the way you defend borders?
Brig. Gen. Al Adwan: Modern technologies have made the armed forces’ job of monitoring and protecting borders easier. They significantly reduce time and effort required and decrease reliance on human effort for surveying border areas and tracking smugglers. Drones have helped combat smuggling by spotting smugglers inside Syria before they reach the Jordanian border or disappear into “no-go zones.” Unfortunately, smuggling networks also exploit technology for their crimes. For example, they use drones to pinpoint vulnerable stretches of border and checking on weather before conducting operations.
Unipath: How do you select and train personnel?
Brig. Gen. Al Adwan: We follow the same process used by the Jordan Armed Forces for military service. All personnel in this directorate undergo specialized training on the devices, equipment and mechanisms we use, as well as the procedures followed in carrying out their duties. They also participate in various courses held at Jordan Armed Forces schools and institutes to improve their competency and develop their military capabilities. Specialized courses in border security are held at the Border Security Training Center. These cover border security and international interception, tracking, smuggling prevention and vehicle searches. Systems operators and technicians also received training to maintain equipment used on the border. It’s been more difficult to find training for border guards outside of Jordan owing to a scarcity of specialized courses held at international institutes and schools. Most training abroad is for technicians.