A picture taken during a tour origanized by the Jordanian Army shows soldiers patrolling along the border with Syria to prevent trafficking, on Feb 17, 2022. (PHOTO / AFP)

AMMAN - Jordan's Minister of Interior Mazin Farrayeh announced on Saturday the formation of a joint communication group with Iraq, Syria and Lebanon to step up cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking.

The group, comprising liaison officers from the four countries, will track information and monitor drug shipments, Jordan's state-run Al Mamlaka TV quoted Farrayeh as saying during a joint press conference that was attended by his Iraqi, Syrian and Lebanese counterparts.

During the press conference, the Jordanian minister highlighted that the communication group will focus on the exchange of expertise, training, the building of capabilities, and monitoring information, including overseeing deliveries to track shipments from their origin to their final destination.

On Saturday morning, interior ministers from Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan convened in Amman, the capital of Jordan, to address the issue of drug trafficking and its prevention.

ALSO READ: Jordanian army 'kills 5 drug smugglers on borders with Syria'

Jordan has recently faced armed confrontations with drug smugglers who have increased their attempts to traffick drugs and weapons into the kingdom.