Jordan strikes kill five in southern Syria following deadly church attack

Jordan's air force conducted airstrikes on militant hideouts in southern Syria following a deadly church attack, according to the kingdom. The church attack, which occurred in a Greek Orthodox cemetery, resulted in the deaths of nine people and injuries to 40 others. Jordanian forces identified the attack as linked to terrorist groups operating in Syria.

The military operations in southeastern Syria were carried out in coordination with Damascus. However, Syria disputed this claim, stating it had launched an investigation into the Jordanian strikes. Initial reports from a health official indicated that at least five civilians, including women and children, were killed in the Jordanian airstrikes.

Earlier on Monday, Jordanian security forces arrested three men suspected of involvement in the attack. The suspects were apprehended during a dawn shootout in an abandoned house in the Karak governorate, located approximately 75 miles southwest of Amman. All three detainees sustained severe injuries, while no Jordanian personnel were reported as casualties.

Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya stated that the security services had fulfilled their duties by capturing those responsible for the terrorist attack. King Abdullah II had directed authorities to respond with an "iron fist" against anyone attempting to disrupt the unity of the Jordanian people. The arrests were met with some relief from the families of the victims, who had expressed hope that the security measures would bring an end to such incidents.

Despite the tragedy, Jordanian authorities have not publicly identified the suspects or named any potential affiliations with Islamist militant groups, as no claim of responsibility has been made for the attack.