Jordanian Airstrikes Kill Seven in Syria as Sole Border Gate Closes

Jordanian forces killed at least seven people in southern Syria on Monday in a series of airstrikes that targeted alleged hideouts for armed groups. The attacks landed in the provinces of Deraa and Suwayda, ending with the closure of the Nassib border crossing, the only point where passengers and goods move between the two countries.

The military launched the offensive in response to a shootout that occurred last week in the Karak governorate. During that incident, gunmen opened fire on a Greek Orthodox church during a funeral service, killing nine people and wounding dozens. The Jordanian armed forces stated that the Monday strikes destroyed several vehicles and killed members of the organizations linked to the shooters, though they did not name specific groups.

Syrian officials disputed the Jordanian account of the operation. The Syrian defense ministry said the strikes were not coordinated with their military, despite Amman’s claims of joint planning. One attack hit five members of a single family, including three children, a woman, and a man. Two separate strikes killed a 60-year-old man and an 80-year-old man. Damascus has begun an investigation into the incident and called for better field coordination in border zones.

The conflict escalated after Jordanian security forces arrested three men in the village of Al-Jadeeda earlier on Monday. The suspects are two brothers and their brother-in-law, who are accused of participating in the October 23 church attack. A government source reported that the three men suffered serious injuries during a three-hour shootout with authorities.

The church shooting took place approximately 90 kilometers south of the capital, Amman. Karak is home to a small Christian minority, which represents about 300,000 of the country’s 11.5 million residents. King Abdullah II previously vowed that those responsible would face the harshest penalties and ordered a review of national security procedures.

The Nassib crossing remains shut to all traffic following the airstrikes. Jordanian military officials confirmed the operation targeted terrorist organizations in southeastern Syria, while the Syrian government continues to assess the damage and casualties from the strikes.