Jordan Bombs Syria, Shuts Sole Border Gate
Airstrikes in southern Syria killed seven, including children, after Jordan arrested three suspects linked to a fatal church shooting.
By Elena Perry ·
The Nassib border crossing, Jordan’s only passenger and commercial gateway to Syria, is closed to all traffic following Monday’s cross-border airstrikes. The suspension affects commercial freight and passenger movement between the two nations. Syrian border authorities announced the closure immediately after Jordanian planes targeted southeastern Syrian provinces.
Jordanian forces struck hideouts for armed groups in the Deraa and Suwayda provinces. The military stated that the operation resulted in the deaths and injuries of many group members and destroyed several vehicles. The attack was a direct response to a shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak governorate last week. That incident left nine people dead and dozens wounded.
Initial reports from Syria indicate the Jordanian strikes killed at least seven people. The Syrian defence ministry said one impact hit five family members, including three children, a woman, and a man. Two separate strikes killed a 60-year-old man and an 80-year-old man. Syria denies it coordinated with Jordanian forces, despite Jordan’s claims of joint action. The Syrian government has launched an investigation into the incidents.
Earlier on Monday, Jordanian security forces arrested three men in the village of Al-Jadeeda. The suspects are two brothers and their brother-in-law. A three-hour shootout left the men with serious injuries. They are the primary suspects in the October 23 church attack. Three gunmen had opened fire during a funeral service about 90 kilometers south of Amman.
Karak governorate is home to a Christian minority of approximately 300,000 people. This group represents a small fraction of Jordan’s total population of 11.5 million. King Abdullah II pledged a stern response to the violence. He ordered a review of national security procedures and stated that those responsible would face the harshest penalties.
The Jordanian military did not specify which terrorist organizations were targeted in the strikes. It also did not provide precise coordinates for the bomb impacts. The Syrian defence ministry emphasized the need for joint field and security coordination in border areas. It released its findings via a statement on Telegram. The closure of Nassib remains in effect for both directions of travel.
