Jordan to host meeting of Syria’s neighbors

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Jordan will host a meeting on Sunday of Syria’s neighboring countries to discuss cooperation in combating terrorism and smuggling.

“The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan will host a meeting of Syria's neighboring countries next Sunday to discuss operational mechanisms for cooperation in combating terrorism, drug and arms smuggling, and confronting other common challenges,” read a statement from the Jordanian ministry of foreign affairs.

The meeting comes amid heightened tensions in Syria as the new authorities have clashed with armed groups loyal to the toppled Bashar al-Assad regime.

The foreign ministers, defense ministers, military chiefs of staff, and intelligence directors from Jordan, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon are invited to attend.

“The meeting will discuss ways to support the brotherly Syrian people in their efforts to rebuild their country on the foundations that guarantee its unity, sovereignty, security and stability, rid it of terrorism, ensure conditions for the voluntary return of refugees, and preserve the rights of all its people,” said ministry spokesperson Sufian al-Qudah.

Under Assad’s rule, Syria was a major producer of Captagon and its neighbours have struggled with curbing trafficking of the drug.

Amman has led several operations to combat cross-border smuggling, some of which have resulted in casualties. Jordan shares a 375-kilometer land border with Syria and hosted more than 1.3 million Syrian refugees who fled the civil conflict in their home country. United Nations figures show about 680,000 registered Syrian refugees in Jordan. Thousands of refugees have returned home since the fall of the Assad regime in December, but many others are waiting for more stability.

The new authorities in Damascus have clashed with armed groups in the south and the west in the past couple of days. In the Kurdish-held north, Turkish-backed militias are trying to take control of a dam and a key bridge. Kurdish forces are also battling Islamic State (ISIS) militants in the east.