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Syria Syrian-Jordanian Tensions
Syrian-Jordanian relations have fluctuated between normal
diplomatic relations and armed confrontation. At times each side
has attempted to subvert the other and has supported and provided
refuge to the other's internal opposition groups. Jordanian
interest in Syria began in 1921, when the founder of the Amirate
of Transjordan, Amir Abdallah, sought to advance into Syria, from
which his brother had been expelled by the French, and which he
regarded as part of the promised Hashimite kingdom. Even as late
as 1946, when both countries gained independence, King Abdallah
did not abandon his plan to become king of Syria. Syria
considered Abdallah's schemes for an expanded Hashimite kingdom
as intervention in its domestic affairs and officially complained
to the Arab League. During the 1950s, Syria mounted a propaganda
campaign against Abdallah and granted political asylum to
opposition elements from Jordan, including political asylum in
1957 to Jordanian Army officers and civilian politicians who had
conspired to topple King Hussein. Tensions mounted in 1958 when
Hussein's private jet en route to Europe was intercepted by
Syrian MiGs and forced to return to Amman. Also, Syrian-trained
groups infiltrated Jordan to carry out subversive acts,
culminating in the August 1960 assassination of Jordanian Prime
Minister Haza al Majali, whose killers escaped to Syria.
Syrian-Jordanian tensions were exacerbated in the late 1960s,
following the rift between Jordan and the PLO, with Syria
supporting the Palestinians against Jordan. In September 1970,
Syria sent an armored division into Jordan to reinforce the
Palestinian forces under attack by Hussein's army. By July 1971,
Syria had broken off diplomatic relations with Jordan over the
issue.
The October 1973 War resulted in a gradual improvement in
relations, as Jordan contributed to the Syrian military effort.
In 1976 Jordan was the only Arab country to support the Syrian
invasion and subsequent role in Lebanon. However, another break
between Syria and Jordan occurred in 1977, following Jordan's
tacit support for Egyptian President Sadat's peace initiative.
During this period Syria charged Jordan with harboring members of
the Muslim Brotherhood, who had escaped from Syria. This charge
led to new tension in December 1980, with military forces of both
sides deployed along the border. As a counterweight to Syria,
Jordan improved its relations with Iraq, and became one of its
primary suppliers. In 1981 Jordan accused Syria of being behind
the kidnapping of the Jordanian military attaché in Beirut and
charged Rifaat al Assad, President Assad's brother, with
masterminding a plot to assassinate the Jordanian prime minister.
By the mid-1980s, rapprochement efforts were again underway
(see Foreign Policy
, ch. 4).
Data as of April 1987
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