The Jordanian Royal Air Force conducted airstrikes targeting Iranian-linked drug smuggling operations in southern Syria on January 8.[84] The strikes targeted a farm that Jordanian officials suspected of storing drugs in Malah, Suwayda Province and Iran-linked drug smugglers in Shaab and Arman, Suwayda Province.
This airstrike is part of growing Jordanian operations against these smuggling networks. Jordanian forces have clashed with Iranian-backed smugglers along the Jordan-Syria border twice in recent weeks—once in December 2023 and again on January 6, 2024.[85] The Jordanian Royal Air Force has similarly conducted three strikes targeting Iranian-backed smuggling operations in southern Syria since May 2023, including a strike on January 4.[86] A strike in May 2023 targeted an LH member responsible for smuggling Captagon into Jordan.[87] Western and Jordanian officials blamed LH and other Iranian-backed militias for increased drug smuggling into Jordan.[88] The Syrian regime, LH, and other Iranian-backed militias mass produce Captagon in Syria and smuggle it through Jordan to the Gulf Arab states. This smuggling and distribution cartel generates billions of dollars in revenue for Iran and its Axis of Resistance.[89]
full report: https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-january-9-2024
Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian discussed the Israel-Hamas war and security in the Red Sea in a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, on January 9.[64] Abdollahian called for an end the fighting in the Gaza Strip. Abdollahian also implicitly blamed Israel for Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. Lavrov claimed that the United States is using the Houthi attacks as a pretext to expand its military presence in the Middle East. The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry's readout of the call did not include Abdollahian's statements regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.[65]
full report: https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-january-10-2024
See post above re Jordan AF attack against Captagon trade
What is Captagon? ‘Poor Man’s Cocaine’ Is a Favorite of Mideast Militants
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4192305/posts
Hamas fighters took drug called Captagon to make them feel invincible before Israel massacre
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4191196/posts
Large quantities of ‘Jihadist drug’ seized in France for the first time [Captagon]
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3556509/posts
Fenethylline [Captagon] is now illegal in most countries and is produced primarily for illicit use. Syria is considered to be the world’s largest producer of the drug, accounting for about 80% of the global supply.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenethylline