Jordan faces 'big challenge' to stop drug flow from Syria, says Foreign Minister


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Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Thursday that Amman faced a “big challenge” in halting the flow of drugs from Syria, while efforts continue tackle the threat.

Since the start of September, 24 men wanted in drug cases have been arrested, authorities said on Wednesday.

The kingdom is fighting a drug war on the 360km border with Syria, through which flows billions of dollars worth of narcotics a year and on to the Arabian Peninsula.

“The smuggling of drugs from Syria to Jordan is a big challenge,” Mr Safadi said in Amman.

“We are continuing to confront this danger with all our capabilities and we will continue to do what is needed to defeat this danger and protect our society and country.”

The flows mainly comprise the amphetamine pill known as Captagon, which is cheap to manufacture.

Jordan has accused the Syrian military and pro-Iranian militias allied with it of sponsoring the trafficking of the drug.

Large areas in southern Syria returned to the hands of the military in 2018 after a deal between Russia, Damascus's most powerful supporter, the US and Israel to hand them over to President Bashar Al Assad's forces.

In an interview last month, Mr Al Assad denied the state's involvement in the trade and blamed neighbouring countries he did not name for fostering the trafficking.

In July, Syrian and Jordanian security officials met in Amman to discuss the issue.

In the last two years, the Jordanian military has been engaging more forcefully with the smugglers. The US and other western allies have supported the efforts by building surveillance and monitoring systems on the frontier.

Jordanian authorities have also increased operations inside the kingdom to halt the domestic consumption of the drugs.

Since the beginning of September, authorities have arrested 24 men wanted in drug cases. A police spokesman described them as “threats to society” when announcing the arrests on Wednesday.

One of the most dangerous smugglers was arrested in the northern Badia region, which borders Syria, he said. The bust also netted 4,000 drug pills and 30 pouches of hashish.

In the southern governorate of Aqaba, Jordan's only sea outlet, security forces overran the tent of another dealer, where he had stored 15,000 pills, 17 pouches of hashish and an automatic weapon, the spokesman said.

The remaining smugglers were arrested in Zarqa and Balqa governorates, adjacent to Amman, and in the governorates of Irbid and Ramtha, which border Syria.

Museum of the Future in numbers
  •  78 metres is the height of the museum
  •  30,000 square metres is its total area
  •  17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
  •  14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
  •  1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior 
  •  7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
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Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

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If you go

The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at. 
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.   

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What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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Afghanistan fixtures
  • v Australia, today
  • v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
  • v New Zealand, Saturday,
  • v South Africa, June 15
  • v England, June 18
  • v India, June 22
  • v Bangladesh, June 24
  • v Pakistan, June 29
  • v West Indies, July 4
MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)

Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports

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Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Graduated from the American University of Sharjah

She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters

Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks

Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding

 

Updated: September 07, 2023, 2:50 PM`