AMMAN, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A year after Syria's political transition, Jordan continues to grapple with security threats along its northern border, with experts pointing to persistent smuggling activities and regional instability as ongoing concerns.
Jordanian military and strategic analyst Nidal Abu Zeid told Xinhua in a recent interview that despite improvements, security concerns along Jordan's northern frontier remain.
"The geographic nature of the border between Jordan, Syria, and Iraq, which extends across rugged and sparsely populated terrain, makes full control a continuous challenge," Abu Zeid said.
Smuggling operations have increasingly shifted to more isolated and uncoordinated attempts, he noted.
Public law professor and political analyst Muath Abu Dalou told Xinhua that Jordan is closely monitoring developments in southern Syria. "The continued activity of smugglers and armed groups requires Jordan to maintain a high level of vigilance."
Many Jordanian experts have linked long-term border security directly to Syria's stability and unity, as Jordan shares a border of some 375 km with Syria.
Syria entered a political transition in December 2024 following the collapse of the former government after years of conflict. Over the past year, the country has witnessed a gradual reopening of public institutions, a partial return of services in major cities, and diplomatic outreach with regional and international actors.
However, large parts of the country continue to face reconstruction challenges, particularly in areas heavily damaged during the conflict, while security incidents persist along the border regions.
Warning that instability in Syria's southern governorates, such as Sweida, could still pose risks, Khaled Shneikat, head of the Jordanian Association for Political Science, said that "Jordan's fundamental interest lies in a unified Syria."
"A single central authority enables effective security cooperation and limits reliance on informal armed groups," Shneikat told Xinhua.
Echoing this view, Hassan al-Daja, professor of strategic studies at Jordan's Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, said that the stability of southern Syria is linked to the existence of a unified Syrian state capable of controlling its borders, thereby limiting the expansion of criminal networks and mitigating cross-border threats.
Experts have also stressed the importance of broader regional and international cooperation.
Abu Zeid highlighted Jordan's diplomatic efforts, including support for multilateral mechanisms, such as the Amman Quintet, that brings together Syria and its neighboring countries, as part of a comprehensive approach to ensuring long-term border security.
Shneikat noted that international engagement with Syria's new leadership, including discussions on easing sanctions and reintegrating Syria into regional and international frameworks, enhances "Syria's ability to fulfill its security responsibilities, which directly supports Jordan's stability and that of the wider region."
Jordan knows that relying solely on bilateral coordination with Damascus is insufficient, said al-Daja. "Regional and international partnerships are essential." ■