Special to WorldTribune.com

AMMAN – Security sources said Jordan’s military reinforced its presence along the 370-kilometer border with Syria.

Jordan has been hosting thousands of rebels trained by the United States. An estimated 2,500 rebels trained in Jordan were said to be fighting south of Damascus.

The Jordanian alert came amid a Syrian military offensive against U.S.-trained rebels in the southern provinces of Dera and Quneitra. The sources said the Syrian Army was operating against rebel strongholds near the Jordanian border.

The sources said the military was deploying additional troops as well as conducting air reconnaissance along the western frontier with Syria.

“There is concern that terrorists will try to infiltrate the [Hashemite] kingdom,” a source said.

In April, the Jordanian Air Force struck military vehicles that sought to infiltrate from Syria. Jordanian F-16 multi-role fighters were said to have destroyed at least three vehicles that contained machine guns.

The United States has increased its military presence in northern Jordan
to prevent attacks from Syria. The sources said the Jordanian military, in a
project financed by Washington, has built observation towers equipped with
reconnaissance systems along the Syrian frontier.

Jordan has also enhanced security ahead of its annual Eager Lion
exercise, scheduled for May 25. About 13,000 troops from 24 countries were
arriving in the kingdom.

“There is concern that these soldiers could be attacked by terrorists
who want to destabilize Jordan,” the source said.

  bolsters border with Syria, Dera, Eager Lion 2014, Quneitra, Syrian offensive increases pressure on Jordan, thousands of U.S.-trained rebels