Israeli surprise drills on the border with Jordan
The Israeli army launches exercises amid preparations for a potential resumption of war against Iran and amid tensions in Israeli-Jordanian relations.
The sudden military drills launched by the Israeli army near the border with Jordan have raised questions about their political and security implications, particularly as they come at a time of sharply escalating regional tensions linked to the war against Iran, alongside an unprecedented cooling of relations between Amman and Tel Aviv despite their peace treaty.
The Israeli army spokesperson announced the start of an emergency military exercise on the eastern front, code-named “Sulfur and Fire,” stating that the drills aim to test troop readiness for sudden security scenarios in the area adjacent to the Jordanian border.
The exercises are concentrated in the area of the 80th and 96th divisions in the Dead Sea region and include simulations of multiple security incidents, including potential explosions, infiltration attempts, and complex attacks, alongside intensive movements of ground forces, military aircraft, and security vehicles.
Israeli media reported that the drills will involve a wide deployment of forces around Dead Sea hotels and eastern border areas, while the Israeli army stressed that the activity is not linked to any immediate threat or ongoing security incident.
The move comes as the region experiences rising tensions due to the ongoing war with Iran and its regional repercussions, particularly amid Israeli fears that the conflict could expand to additional fronts, including the eastern border.
The exercises also coincide with increasing political tensions between Israel and Jordan in recent months, in the context of the war in Gaza and developments in Jerusalem and the West Bank, as well as repeated Jordanian criticism of Israeli policies in the region.
Observers believe that intensifying drills near the Jordanian border carries messages beyond the purely military dimension, reflecting Israeli concerns over a possible deterioration in regional security amid continued confrontations with Iran and its allies, as well as fears that public unrest in the region could translate into border security threats.
Prior to these drills, the Israeli army had announced ongoing military exercises in the West Bank, including scenarios involving complex attacks, raids on military sites, and battlefield management operations, coordinated between army units and local security agencies.
The army stated that these exercises aim to enhance rapid response capabilities and strengthen operational coordination between different forces, with a focus on handling emergency situations and armed operations.
At the same time, Israel continues its military operations on multiple fronts, carrying out repeated strikes in Lebanon alongside indirect negotiations for a ceasefire, as well as conducting strikes inside Syria. Indicators are also increasing regarding preparations for a possible large-scale military confrontation with Tehran, placing the region in an extremely sensitive security and political phase.
