Jordan Bombs Southern Syria and Shuts Its Sole Border Gate
Seven people died in airstrikes launched in response to a church shooting, prompting Damascus to deny coordination with Amman.
By Rebecca Caldwell ·
Jordanian fighter jets struck targets in southeastern Syria on Monday, killing at least seven people in retaliation for last week's shooting at a Greek Orthodox church. The attacks marked the first major cross-border military action since the incident, which left nine dead and dozens wounded in the Karak governorate. Jordanian authorities stated they targeted hideouts for armed groups linked to the church attackers.
The conflict escalated quickly. On October 23, three men opened fire during a funeral at a church located approximately 90 kilometers south of Amman. The Karak region is home to a minority Christian population that numbers about 300,000 people within Jordan's population of 11.5 million. King Abdullah II pledged a stern response and ordered a review of national security procedures.
Monday's timeline began with ground operations. Security forces arrested two brothers and their brother-in-law in the village of Al-Jadeeda after a three-hour shootout. A government source told Al Jazeera that the three suspects sustained serious injuries during the confrontation. These arrests followed the king's order to hold those behind the attack to the harshest penalties.
Air power then moved to the front lines. The Jordanian military reported that its strikes destroyed several vehicles and killed or wounded many members of what it called terrorist organizations. The ministry did not name the specific groups or pinpoint the exact locations of the hits. Jordan claimed the operation was conducted in coordination with the Syrian government.
Damascus disputed that account. The Syrian defense ministry said on Telegram that one Jordanian attack hit five members of the same family, including three children, a woman, and a man. Two other strikes killed two men, aged 60 and 80. The attacks hit the southern provinces of Deraa and Suwayda. Syria launched an investigation and stressed the need for joint field and security coordination in border areas.
The Nassib border crossing closed immediately after the strikes. Syrian border authorities suspended traffic in both directions at the checkpoint. Nassib is the only passenger and commercial border crossing between Jordan and Syria. The closure halts the flow of people and goods across the sole gateway connecting the two neighbors.
Jordan's military said it will continue to monitor the border area. The Syrian government has not announced when it will reopen the crossing. The three suspects in the church shooting remain in custody in Al-Jadeeda.
Source: Al Jazeera
