The Syrian Future Movement follows with great interest and appreciation the announcement issued by the Syrian Ministry of Interior on Sunday, June 14, 2026, regarding the dismantling of an organized international drug trafficking network in a joint and high-quality security operation carried out in coordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances in the sisterly Republic of Iraq.
These operations, which took place in the governorates of Homs and Deir ez-Zor, resulted in the arrest of a number of network members and the seizure of approximately 800,000 Captagon pills and 60 kilograms of hashish.
The Syrian Future Movement commends the efforts exerted by the Syrian Anti-Narcotics Directorate and the Iraqi security services to achieve this advanced level of coordination, which enabled the dismantling of an international network that posed a serious threat to national and regional security.
We recall that these operations are the culmination of a series of joint security successes, most notably the operation carried out in April 2026, which resulted in the seizure of 1,730,000 Captagon pills and the arrest of eight members of an international smuggling network in the Damascus and Homs countryside.
These successive operations confirm that a shared will can overcome difficulties and achieve tangible results that benefit both brotherly nations.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its unwavering stance against the scourge of drugs, considering it a war crime and an existential threat to society.
Drugs have been, and continue to be, a weapon used in the new generation of warfare to impoverish societies, destroy the minds of young people, and finance terrorist groups.
Recognizing the gravity of this issue, the Syrian Future Movement has previously issued statements and positions on its official website clearly condemning all forms of drug promotion and trafficking, believing that confronting this scourge requires comprehensive regional and international cooperation that extends beyond security measures to include prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. We also affirm that the success of the recent operation is a result of this approach and should be built upon to develop future cooperation mechanisms.
While the Syrian Future Movement appreciates these high-quality operations, it reiterates that the fight against drugs and organized crime is a long-term battle that requires continuous coordination, exchange of expertise, and capacity building.
Based on this national and ethical responsibility, the Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
- Strengthening permanent coordination mechanisms and real-time intelligence sharing between the security agencies of both countries to keep pace with the evolving methods of smuggling networks and ensure there are no vulnerabilities that could be exploited.
- Expanding the scope of security cooperation to include combating arms and ammunition smuggling and the financing of terrorism, given that these activities are closely linked to the illicit drug trade and pose a direct threat to the stability of the entire region.
- Activating and implementing the memoranda of understanding and bilateral security agreements signed between Syria and Iraq, and completing the necessary procedures for their practical application, thereby contributing to building a comprehensive strategic security partnership.
- Building the capacities of specialized personnel in both countries through the exchange of expertise and the organization of joint training courses will enhance preparedness and professionalism in confronting all forms of organized crime.
In conclusion, the Syrian Future Movement reiterates its conviction that the security of Syria and Iraq is an indivisible and integrated system, and that the challenges facing both countries require a unified response and coordination at the highest levels.
We believe that the Syrian government is called upon today to build upon this security success and work to solidify cooperation with the Iraqi side, based on the shared interests of the two countries and their brotherly peoples.
We also believe that the success of these operations constitutes practical proof that security cooperation is the most effective way to avert dangers, and that Syria and Iraq together are capable of protecting their security and stability and building a better future for their coming generations, free from the scourge of drugs and crime.
