Jordan announces the release of its kidnapped citizen in Syria

The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the release of one of its kidnapped citizens in Syria, after losing contact with him for about two weeks inside the Syrian territories.

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Sufian al-Qudaht said that a Jordanian citizen, who was detained by unknown persons when he was in Syria was released, while the spokesman did not mention the name of the kidnapped citizen.

He pointed out that the joint efforts between the Foreign Ministry and the Jordanian forces and the Syrian side resulted in the release of the Jordanian citizen who has been missing since August 12, after his relatives had informed the Foreign Ministry of his disappearance inside Syria.

The statement also did not disclose details about his kidnapping or his release. At the same time, the Jordanian Customs confirmed its commitment to counter smuggling, drugs, and weapons during a meeting in the city of Ar-Ramtha, on the Syrian-Jordanian borders.

The Director-General of the Jordanian Customs Department, Abdul Majeed al-Rahamneh said: “They are committed to counter any attempts to smuggle drugs, weapons, smokes, and to facilitate the entry of goods in accordance with the law through all ports, including  Jaber-Nasib border-crossing with Syria”.

The statement came during a meeting of the representatives of the Jordanian government and the elders of Ar-Ramtha to end protests and riots in the city.

Al-Rahamneh announced: “The meeting resulted in ending all forms of protests, escalation and endorsing the government measures which are taken to prevent the smuggling of drugs, weapons and smokes, and re-affirming the compliance with trade and customs decisions.”

He also pointed out that “the participants agreed on the establishment of an appropriate mechanism to facilitate the passage of passengers through the Jaber-Nasib border-crossing during public holidays”.