Jordan wants stability in southern Syria but unclear if it's willing to help - analysis

The Kingdom of Jordan said it welcomed a ceasefire in the southern Syrian area of Suwayda after days of clashes between the Syrian government and the Druze minority. The clashes started when Druze fought with local Bedouin tribes. Jordan has a complex relationship with Syria. It wants stability, but it’s unclear whether the Kingdom will do much to support that goal. The “Jordanian foreign ministry welcomed Tuesday the ceasefire decision in the province of Sweida, southern Syria, affirming its support for the Syrian state in preserving its sovereignty,” Syria’s state media noted.

Jordanian state media Petra News noted that the foreign ministry’s spokesperson, Ambassador Dr. Sufian Qudah, “emphasized the need for calm, restraint, to prevent further bloodshed, enforce law and ensure that the Syrian state exercises full sovereignty over its territories.”

SANA state media in Syria noted that the Jordanian spokesperson “reiterated Jordan’s support for the Syrian government’s efforts to rebuild the country on foundations that guarantee its security, stability, unity, and sovereignty, while preserving the safety, rights, and security of all Syrians.” These are very general comments, indicating that Amman is reticent to say much about what is happening right across the border. It’s important to understand the context here. Northern Jordan is populated by many people who have larger tribal connections to southern Syria. This is particularly true in Irbid, Ramtha, and other areas near Syria’s Dara’a province. (Read more)