You are here

Assad’s accusations of Jordan reflect a ‘problem with Iran’

Apr 24,2017 - Last updated at Apr 24,2017

The long-muted tension between Jordan and Assad’s regime has come to the surface over the last week.

In an interview given to the Russian state-owned Sputnik, Syrian President Bashar Assad accused Jordan of preparing an attack on the southern part of Syria.

He went even further, saying that Jordan is not adequately independent and therefore it would carry out plans imposed on it by the US.

To be sure, it is easy to refute Assad’s accusations that Jordan lacks independence. Many Jordanians were quick to remind the world that Jordan rejected the American demand that their country join the international coalition to eject Iraq from Kuwait in 1991.

The irony is that the Syrian regime sent troops to fight along the Americans (who were then called “imperialists” by the Syrian regime) in Kuwait.

Indeed, Assad should be the last one on this planet to accuse other states of lacking independence when his regime controls only less than a third of the country.

But is there any merit in his accusation that Jordan is in the middle of preparation to attack the southern part of Syria?

Speaking to The Washington Post, His Majesty King Abdullah confirmed that Jordan will not sit idle by while terrorists threaten the security of Jordan.

“It is a challenge, but we are ready to face it in cooperation with the US and Britain,” said the King.

That being said, Jordan does not plan on attacking Assad’s troops. Nor is Jordan part of any alleged plan to effect regime change in Syria.

Jordan will only take the steps necessary to defend its security from any spillover of the conflict in Syria.

Assad once threatened that Jordan will be attacked. In his words, “the entire world knows Jordan is just as exposed to the crisis as Syria”.

A quick look at the context of Jordan-Syria relations reveals that the two countries have had their fair share of differences ever since they got their independence in 1946.

Their relations have historically been uneasy even before the Syrian crisis erupted.

Time and again, Syria has blamed Jordan for anything That would go wrong in Syria.

Obviously, Assad is shaken by the presence of foreign boots on Jordan’s soil. While Jordanians make the case that such foreign troops are meant to boost the country’s defence capability in the face of the changing reality in Syria, Assad is apprehensive.

Assad’s accusations of Jordan reflect a deep sense of insecurity.

He is both uncertain and insecure about the southern front in particular.

Any further loss in the south means that Damascus will be vulnerable to any well-organised offence.

In other words, keeping the southern front away from rebels is an imperative for Assad’s survival.

Casting aside Assad’s apprehension and veiled threat, he has few options at this point to deal with Jordan.

His embattled troops are overextended and therefore Jordan will not take his threat seriously.

Any military harassment of Jordan may invite military intervention that will only farther weaken Assad’s already weakened position.

And yet, Assad is not as independent as he wants one to believe.

Iran and Russia may decide much of Assad’s options in the south. Hence, Assad’s accusations of Jordan may reflect a deeper problem with Iran and its schemes in Syria.

Against this background, Jordan must keep around-the-clock vigilance to defend its security.

 

 

[email protected]

up
32 users have voted.


Newsletter

Get top stories and blog posts emailed to you each day.

PDF