Jordan bombs Syria, kills seven, and shuts its main border gate
At least seven people died in Jordanian air strikes near the Syrian border, a move Jordan says targets groups linked to a fatal attack in Karak.
By Valentina Rojas ·
Jordanian aircraft struck targets in southeastern Syria on Monday, killing at least seven people. The Jordanian military said the operation aimed at hideouts used by armed groups. It described the targets as terrorist organizations linked to a recent shooting at a church in Jordan.
The initial reports indicated that the strikes resulted in the death and injury of many group members. The military also said it destroyed several vehicles. It did not name the specific groups attacked or give the exact locations of the bombs. Jordan stated that it coordinated the effort with the Syrian government.
Syria disputed that coordination occurred. The Syrian defense ministry said in a Telegram post that one Jordanian attack killed five members of a single family. That group included three children, a woman, and a man. Two other strikes killed two elderly men, one aged 60 and the other 80. The attacks hit the southern provinces of Deraa and Suwayda.
The Syrian government began an investigation into the Jordanian strikes. It emphasized the need for joint field and security coordination in border regions. Following the airstrikes, Syrian border officials closed the Nassib crossing. This is Jordan's only passenger and commercial border point with Syria. Traffic in both directions has been suspended.
The military action followed arrests made earlier in the day in Jordan. Security forces detained two brothers and their brother-in-law in the village of Al-Jadeeda. The three men are suspects in the October 23 church attack. A government source said the suspects were seriously injured during a three-hour shootout with authorities.
The church shooting took place during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church. It is located about 90 kilometers south of Amman. Three men opened fire, killing nine people and wounding dozens. King Abdullah II pledged a stern response and ordered a review of national security procedures. He said those responsible would face the harshest penalties. The Karak region is home to a Christian minority of about 300,000 in a country of 11.5 million.
Source: Al Jazeera
