Jordan-Syria Border Tensions: Air Strikes Kill Seven in Response to Church Shooting

Jordan has launched air strikes against armed groups in southeastern Syria, killing at least seven people in an operation tied to a recent church shooting. The Jordanian military described the targets as hideouts for organizations linked to the October 23 attack that killed nine people in Karak governorate.

The violence began last week when three men opened fire on a Greek Orthodox church during a funeral in Al-Jadeeda, a village approximately 90 kilometers south of Amman. Dozens were wounded in the incident, which prompted King Abdullah II to order a review of security procedures and promise the harshest penalties for those responsible. Karak is home to a significant portion of Jordan's Christian population, which numbers about 300,000 out of a total population of 11.5 million.

On Monday, Jordanian security forces arrested two brothers and their brother-in-law in Al-Jadeeda. A government source stated that the three suspects were injured during a three-hour shootout with authorities. The arrests followed the King's pledge of a stern response to the church attack.

Jordan's armed forces reported that Monday's air strikes targeted terrorist organizations in southeastern Syria. The military said the operation resulted in the destruction of several vehicles and the killing of group members. Jordan stated the strikes were conducted in coordination with the Syrian government, though it did not specify the exact locations of the targets.

Syria has disputed the claim of coordination. The country's defense ministry issued a statement on Telegram saying that one Jordanian attack killed five members of the same family, including three children, a woman, and a man. Two other strikes reportedly killed men aged 60 and 80. The strikes hit the southern Syrian provinces of Deraa and Suwayda.

In response to the air strikes, Syria announced the closure of the Nassib border crossing, suspending traffic in both directions. This is Jordan's only passenger and commercial border crossing with Syria. The Syrian government has launched an investigation into the Jordanian attacks and emphasized the need for joint field and security coordination in border areas.

The Jordanian military did not specify which groups were attacked in Syria. The strikes occurred the same day as the arrests in Karak, linking the domestic security response to the cross-border military action.