Jordan military unveils border surveillance with Iraq, Syria

Members of the Jordanian border guard, left, stand behind a table where various devices for first detection of possible chemical or biological weapons materials are displayed for visitors at their headquarters near the city of Zarqa, Jordan on Monday, June 8, 2015. The devices are part of a partially U.S.-funded program to improve Jordan’s surveillance of its borders with Syria and Iraq and to prevent infiltration of militants, including from the extremist group Islamic State, as well as the possible influx of weapons. (AP Photos/Karin Laub) Members of the Jordanian border guard, left, stand behind a table where various devices for first detection of possible chemical or biological weapons materials are displayed for visitors at their headquarters near the city of Zarqa, Jordan on Monday, June 8, 2015. The devices are part of a partially U.S.-funded program to improve Jordan’s surveillance of its borders with Syria and Iraq and to prevent infiltration of militants, including from the extremist group Islamic State, as well as the possible influx of weapons. (AP Photos/Karin Laub)

By Associated Press June 8, 2015 2 min read

BORDER GUARD FORCES COMMAND, Jordan (AP) – Jordan’s military on Monday unveiled a new phase of a border surveillance system that U.S. officials say provides an effective defense against infiltration attempts, including by Islamic State militants.

The kingdom plays a high-profile role in the U.S.-led military coalition against the extremists, who control large parts of neighboring Syria and Iraq.

Militants pose a potential threat to the security of Jordan, a staunch Western ally, and previously have attacked border points.

The border security system, partially funded by the U.S., includes radar and surveillance towers that enable Jordanian forces to spot suspected infiltrators several kilometers (miles) before they reach the border, said Col. Robert Paddock, defense attache at the U.S. Embassy in Amman.

“Here, they can see anywhere along the entire border, what is going on, and then they can take appropriate action,” Paddock told The Associated Press at the command center.