Non-Resident Researcher at the Stimson Institute in Washington, Amer Al-Sabailah discusses the shifting dynamics in the Middle East as Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al-Safadi made a significant and unannounced visit to Damascus this month.
This latest visit diplomatic visit with Syria’s President Al-Assad is Al-Safadi’s third since 2011, and was held amid escalating regional tensions around Palestine and Southern Lebanon.
“Jordan is concerned about the upcoming phase and its repercussions on Jordan’s borders. There is an urgent need to address potential security risks,” says Minister Al-Safadi.
According to the Jordanian Foreign Ministry, Minister Al-Safadi was there to deliver a verbal message from King Abdullah II on “current dangerous developments in the region” and addressed several bilateral and regional issues, including Syria’s ongoing crisis and the refugee situation.
Discussions covered topics such as the safe return of Syrian refugees, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling — all issues directly impacting both Jordan and Syria.
President Al-Assad reiterated that Syria’s commitment to the “safe return” of refugees is a priority for the Syrian government. He noted Syria’s progress in implementing legal and legislative frameworks to facilitate the process.
Minister Al-Safadi echoed Jordan’s support for Syria’s stability, underscoring the importance of regional security, adding, “Jordan is committed to doing everything possible to support the return of refugees to Syria,” says Al-Safadi.
Official sources in Damascus confirmed that Al-Safadi’s visit aligns with Jordan’s concerns over rising regional tensions and the significant role Syria is expected to play in helping to avert further escalation.
The Jordanian Government has strongly advocated for Syria’s active role in stabilising the region, emphasising that Syria’s security directly influences Jordan’s own national stability.
A pressing issue discussed was the persistent challenge of drug and arms smuggling across the Syrian-Jordanian border, which Jordan alleges is facilitated by Iran-backed militias in Syria.
While Syrian efforts have reportedly curtailed some smuggling, the activity remains a problem, with active smuggling routes despite Israeli strikes on key passageways from Syria into Lebanon.
Just recently, Jordanian military forces intercepted a drone attempting to smuggle drugs across the border, reflecting Jordan’s firm stance on combating this illicit trade.
However, reports of limited progress on issues such as refugee repatriation and smuggling has led to frustration among Jordanian officials, with the Kingdom expecting more active cooperation from Syria.
Jordanian Strategic Security Expert Omar Al-Raddad, interpreted the visit as focusing more on regional stability than on Syria’s internal challenges with refugees or trafficking.
“Since the onset of the Gaza conflict, Syria’s stance has shown alignment with the broader Arab position rather than the Axis of Resistance,” says Al-Raddad.
According to Al-Raddad, King Abdullah II cautions Syria to assess its shifting alliances to protect its own borders and prevent against further escalations at the Jordanian border.
As events continue to unfold, the Golan Front has remained relatively calm compared to the Lebanese border, where Israeli Defense Forces are alleged to have intensified operations against Hezbollah’s infrastructure.
Despite Israeli strikes that have led to losses among Hezbollah’s leadership, the Syrian regime has largely refrained from direct intervention, even amid ongoing Israeli incursions into Syrian territories, including Quneitra.
