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QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A Jordanian armed forces expert stated on Saturday that Jordan’s participation in the ongoing armed forces operation against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria was both expected and necessary, following a deadly attack earlier this month on US troops. Nidal Abu Zaid, a Jordanian military and strategic analyst, informed North Press that the joint operation was launched after two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed on December 13. He noted that ISIS has reconstituted itself in Syria’s desert areas, exploiting the collapse of the former Syrian army to rearm and reorganize, posing a threat to Syria and neighboring states.
Earlier on Saturday, the Jordanian Armed troops verified their involvement in airstrikes against ISIS in Syria on Thursday. Abu Zaid explained that the tri-border area linking Jordan, Syria, and Iraq has long served as a hub for ISIS movements, representing a direct threat to Jordan. Notably, he recalled Jordan’s past losses in the 2016 Rukban attack, when seven Jordanian soldiers were killed. “The border triangle was a focal point for ISIS surveillance and activity, which made Jordan’s participation essential,” he stated.
He added that ISIS’s threat extends beyond Jordan to Iraq, underscoring the regional dimension of the group’s resurgence. Abu Zaid also pointed to the outcomes of the Amman Quintet meeting in March 2024, which emphasized the creation of a joint operations room to stabilize Syria. He said this explains the US Central Command’s statement confirming Jordanian Air Force participation in the current operation, alongside an Iraqi airborne assault targeting ISIS’s logistical and military infrastructure.
The operation reflects broader coalition efforts to weaken ISIS capabilities and prevent the group from re-establishing strongholds in Syria’s desert regions. By Atoun Jan
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