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Jordanian army says it killed 27 drug smugglers from Syria


The Jordanian army says it has killed 27 drug smugglers who attempted to cross into the kingdom from Syria under the cover of heavy snow.

The smugglers were backed by "armed groups", a statement said, adding that some fled back to Syrian territory.

Troops searched the areas where the clashes took place and "found large quantities of narcotics".

The army vowed to strike with "an iron fist" at any smuggling or infiltrations that threatened national security.

It said troops had applied new rules of engagement that were introduced after an army officer was killed in a shootout with smugglers on the border with Syria on 17 January.

The new rules were also said to reflect growing concern about a recent surge in the smuggling of drugs from Syria, mostly amphetamine tablets bearing the Captagon logo.

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