Jordan stops large arms transfer from Syria

Police arrest smugglers trying to sneak cache of machine guns across the border

2 August 2013, 12:21 am

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A Syrian refugee stands on top of a water tank at the Zaatari refugee camp, near the Jordanian-Syrian border, in Mafraq, Jordan, in January 2013 (photo credit: AP/Mohammad Hannon)

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — An army spokesman in Jordan says border police have arrested smugglers trying to sneak in a large cache of arms from neighboring Syria.

The spokesman says the group arrested late Thursday included Jordanians and other Arab nationalities.

The official said the arms included mainly machine guns. He said an investigation had begun.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with army regulations.

Jordan has been concerned that al-Qaeda-linked militants in Syria may use its territory as a haven as they escape attacks from the Syrian army. There is also concern that the militants may try to smuggle in weapons to use in attacks to destabilize the pro-US kingdom, one of two Arabs states with a signed peace treaty with Israel.