Damascus, Aug. 4 (SANA) Following Syria’s political transformation, border security has emerged as one of the central themes in reshaping the regional security equation and dismantling the legacy of the deposed regime, which had fostered organized smuggling networks and cross-border crime.
The impact of Syria’s change extends beyond its domestic sphere, directly influencing neighboring states. Restoring state authority over border control and security has become a key factor in boosting regional stability.
President Ahmad al-Sharaa underscored this point in a recent interview on Al Jazeera’s program. He stated that the removal of the ousted regime was necessary not only for Syria itself but also for the stability of the entire region.
Syria’s Borders Shift from Crisis to Stability
Under the deposed regime, Syria’s borders became corridors for organized drug and arms trafficking, aided by weak oversight and complicity from security units. This destabilized Syria and its neighbors.
Former Jordanian Anti Narcotics Director, Lt. Gen. Tayel al Majali, told SANA that Jordan suffered heavily during that period, with traffickers using military grade weapons and drones. Investigations revealed that Fourth Division of the deposed regime’s army, facilitated the arrival of these shipments to the Jordanian border.
Al Majali praised Syria’s post liberation measures since December 8, 2024, highlighting joint security meetings and intelligence exchanges that have curbed smuggling operations.
He explained that Jordan and Syria exchange information related to the security of both countries, based on a shared conviction that Jordan’s security is intertwined with Syria’s, and that joint cooperation is the way to confront drug trafficking networks and organized crime.
Preventive Security: New Approach to Border Protection
The shift in border management represents one of the most prominent aspects of the change in the Syrian security approach. The goal is no longer limited to protecting the borders after a threat has occurred, but is now based on the concept of preventive security, which relies on anticipation, monitoring, and thwarting threats before they reach the Syrian interior or neighboring countries.
The Ministry of Defense stated on March 5, 2026, that Syrian army units had been deployed along the Lebanese and Iraqi borders as part of sovereign measures to tighten control and enhance security. Border Guard units, supported by reconnaissance battalions, now monitor crossings, regulate movement, and track suspicious activities that could pose threats before they escalate.
This shift reflects a transition from addressing consequences to tackling sources of danger, strengthening surveillance, coordination, and intelligence exchange.
Weapons Smuggling Foiled: Test of Syria’s New Security Capabilities
The operation to thwart the smuggling of a sophisticated weapons shipment across the Syrian-Iraqi border on July 16th exemplifies a practical model for the transformation of border security management.
At the time, the Ministry of Defense confirmed that initial investigations revealed the shipment was intended to transit through Syrian territory into Lebanon for the benefit of Hezbollah militia.
The Ministry stressed that safeguarding Syria’s sovereignty and preventing its territory from being used as a corridor for arms trafficking remain top priorities. The operation highlighted the ability of Syrian security agencies to dismantle smuggling routes and prevent the country from becoming a conduit for regional threats.
Regional Cooperation to Secure Borders
Enhanced border control has gone hand in hand with expanded cooperation with neighboring states. In June, Syrian and Lebanese armies discussed strengthening coordination to combat smuggling and improve border security. A month later, Syrian defense officials met Iraqi border commanders in Baghdad to reinforce joint measures against trafficking.
Syrian-Jordanian relations have also advanced significantly. Jordanian Senate President Faisal Al Fayez recently described Syria and Jordan as strategic partners with shared security and economic interests.
For his part, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi stressed that the security of both nations is interconnected, citing extensive coordination against drug and arms smuggling.
In this context, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, during a previous visit to Jordan, affirmed that the new situation in Syria has ended the threats associated with arms and drug smuggling, and that Damascus is ready for intensive cooperation with neighboring countries to control the borders.
Syria: Pillar of Regional Security
The importance of the Syrian transformation extends beyond simply reasserting control over borders and confronting transnational threats. It also encompasses restoring regional and international confidence in Syria’s new role.
In this context, former US Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf affirmed in an exclusive statement to SANA last month that Syria has successfully regained the trust of its international partners and neighboring countries, noting that its stability is a fundamental factor for the stability of the Middle East region.
Recent security developments show that Syria’s transformation has redefined its place in the region. With the state reasserting control over its borders, dismantling smuggling networks, and expanding cooperation with neighboring countries, Damascus has shifted from being a corridor of instability to a partner in safeguarding peace.
MHD
