In a bid to bolster its border defenses during a period of heightened regional tensions and conflicts, Jordan, a staunch ally of the United States, has officially requested the deployment of Patriot air defense systems from Washington. The announcement was made by Brigadier General Mustafa Hiyari, the spokesperson for Jordan’s army, during a statement on Sunday.
Jordan had previously hosted US Patriot missiles in 2013 when concerns arose that the Syrian civil war could spill over into the region. In recent times, Jordan has grown increasingly anxious about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, fearing that it might escalate into a larger conflagration.
The Patriot air defense missile system, known for its advanced capabilities, is in high demand among various US allies worldwide. Despite rumors circulating on social media, Brigadier General Hiyari denied reports suggesting that the Pentagon was diverting equipment and arms to Israel from its bases in Jordan.
The United States has significantly bolstered its military presence in the Middle East in recent weeks, deploying additional naval power, including aircraft carriers and troops. This move was accompanied by warnings from senior Biden administration officials, such as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, regarding the risk of escalated attacks on American troops in the Middle East. There is also concern that Iran might seek to expand the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Jordan has a strong partnership with the United States, with hundreds of US trainers in the country and regular joint military exercises throughout the year. The country is a major recipient of US foreign military financing, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.
Apart from seeking Patriot missile systems, Jordan has also requested additional aid to address the growing threat posed by drones used in a multibillion-dollar drug war along its border with Syria. Jordan attributes the drone threat to pro-Iranian militias operating in southern Syria.
To counter infiltration by militants from Syria and Iraq, the United States has provided significant support to Jordan in establishing a sophisticated surveillance system called the Border Security Programme since the beginning of the Syrian conflict in 2011.
