Jordan nabs Syrian weapon smugglers

Police stop large cache of munitions from crossing into the kingdom

7 August 2013, 2:19 pm

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Syrian rebels run during heavy clashes with soldiers loyal to President Bashar Assad. (photo credit: AP/Aleppo Media Center AMC)

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — A Jordanian security official said border police have arrested five Syrians trying to smuggle a large cache of arms into the kingdom.

The official said Wednesday that anti-tank missiles, surface-to-air missiles and assault rifles were seized.

He did not say if the alleged smugglers, who were caught early Tuesday, were affiliated with any side in Syria’s civil war. Last week, authorities arrested another group of smugglers trying to bring arms into Jordan.

Jordan is concerned that Syria’s war will spill across the border, and in particular that al-Qaida-linked groups of the rebels or pro-Damascus agents will stage attacks to destabilize the pro-US kingdom.

The official spoke anonymously, citing an ongoing investigation.