In brief
Jordan’s defence ministry announced it had targeted alleged terrorist groups in southern Syria as retaliation for a deadly shooting at a Greek Orthodox funeral in Karak. According to Syrian health officials, five people were killed in the strike, while Jordan claims several militants were hit. The Syrian government was not informed beforehand and has since closed its border crossing with Jordan, suspending all passengers and commerce. The attack comes amid rising clashes between Jordanian forces and suspected Jordanian nationals involved in the funeral shooting. Analysts warn that the incident could further destabilise the fragile cease‑fire in the region.
Jordan has struck what its military says were “terrorist organisations” in Syria in retaliation for an attack on a Christian funeral last week that killed nine people.
Syrian health officials told state media that five people—women, children and an elderly man—were killed in the strike on a village in the southern Daraa province. Jordan said its fighter jets had killed and wounded “several terrorists”, without providing further details.
Jordan said it had coordinated with the Syrian government, yet the Syrian authorities stated they were not notified prior to the attack.
The incident follows a shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, where nine people were killed and 34 injured on Friday.
In response, Syria has closed its single passenger and commercial border crossing with Jordan, the Nassib crossing. The authorities suspended all traffic in both directions to safeguard travellers and workers, and announced that they have opened direct communication channels with Jordan while launching investigations into the strike.
Earlier on Monday, Jordanian security forces arrested two brothers and their brother‑in‑law in Karak over the church attack. The Public Security Directorate reported that the unnamed “terrorists” were discovered hiding in an abandoned house early in the morning, while Interior Minister Mazen al‑Faraya said they were Jordanians holed up in a building near the attack site.
