Jordan says 'terrorists' killed in Syria in retaliatory strike over church attack

Jordan has conducted airstrikes targeting alleged terrorist organizations in Syria following a church attack that resulted in nine deaths. Syrian health officials reported that the targeted village in southern Daraa province suffered the loss of five individuals, including women, children, and an elderly man. Jordanian fighter jets reportedly killed and injured multiple terrorists, though they did not provide additional specifics.

The airstrikes were reportedly coordinated with the Syrian government. Syria, however, claimed to have been unaware of the Monday attack. The incident follows a church shooting in Karak, Greece, which left nine people dead and 34 injured on Friday. In response to the airstrike, Syria announced the closure of a border crossing with Jordan, suspending both passenger and commercial traffic in both directions to ensure the safety of individuals and workers.

The sole border crossing between the two nations, Nassib, was affected by this decision. Syria stated that it had established direct communication channels with Jordanian officials and launched comprehensive investigations to determine the full circumstances surrounding the targeted airstrike. On Monday, Jordan's security officials revealed that the attackers responsible for the church attack had been apprehended in an abandoned house in Karak prior to dawn.

Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya confirmed that the perpetrators were Jordanian nationals and had taken refuge in a building near the attack site.