‘Jordan war game pretext for Syria intervention’

‘Jordan war game pretext for Syria intervention’
Wed May 29, 2013 13:11:14

A joint military exercise scheduled to take place in Jordan next week is aimed reportedly at readying forces for “a possible intervention in Syria.”

More than 15,000 soldiers from 18 different countries including the United States are set to take part in "Eager Lion 2013." 

Citing Jordanian and western officials, Israeli website Ynet news reported on Tuesday that the forces will remain on the ground after the drill "in case the need will arise to intervene in Syria." 

The maneuvers are set to run for two weeks in the Jordanian army's training fields, schools and centers.

"Without a doubt this year's drill will prepare for a possible conflict with Syria," a Jordanian official told Ynet. "Jordan must prepare for any abnormal development on this front." 

On May 14, Jordan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lieutenant General Mishal Mohammed Zabin met with the army chiefs of the US, France and Turkey as well as the deputy secretary-general of the NATO, Alexander Vershbow, to discuss “preparations underway for the Eager Lion exercise.” 

Jordan has received bulky aid from the US in recent years. Washington has granted USD 2.4 billion (EUR 1.85 billion) in aid to Amman in the past five years, according to official figures. 

Meanwhile, the White House has asked the Pentagon to draw up plans for a no-fly zone inside Syria that would be enforced by the US and other countries such as France and Britain, the Daily Beast reported.

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