Israeli army forms new military division to guard border with Jordan

By Khaled Yousef

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Israeli army has announced the formation of a new military division to guard Israel’s eastern border with Jordan.

Military spokesman Avichay Adraee said the new division was formed after reviewing the army’s "operational needs and defense capabilities in the region."

He said the division will be tasked with confronting what he called “terrorist incidents and weapons smuggling” from Jordan.

There was no comment from Jordanian authorities on the Israeli move.

Last month, Israeli media reported that the army was digging a trench along the border with Jordan to prevent what they called infiltration attempts and weapons smuggling into Israel.

The border between Jordan and Israel, including the occupied West Bank, extends 335 kilometers (208 miles), with 97 kilometers (60 miles) along the West Bank and 238 kilometers (147.9 miles) along Israel.

Jordan and Israel are connected by three border crossings; the Sheikh Hussein, King Hussein Bridge, and Wadi Araba border crossings.

Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty in 1994.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar