Jordanian armed forces launched airstrikes in southern Syria on Monday, killing at least seven people according to Syrian authorities, after a deadly attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan that authorities blamed on Islamist militants.
Jordan had vowed a strong response following Friday's unprecedented attack against the kingdom's Christian community. Gunmen opened fire during a funeral service at St George's Church in the village of Hamoud, in Karak province, killing nine people before fleeing the scene.
After announcing the arrest of three suspects on Monday morning, Jordan later confirmed it had carried out military strikes in southern Syria.
According to the Jordanian military, the operation targeted "terrorist positions" and killed or injured multiple members of groups allegedly linked to those responsible for the church attack.
سنواجه العمل الإرهابي الذي استهدف الكرك بأشد العقوبات. ومن توهم أن رصاص الغدر يشق صف الأردنيين، خاب مسعاه أمام صلابتنا ووحدتنا. جميع الأردنيين من شمال الوطن لجنوبه شركاء الأرض والموقف ولن ينفذ بينهما غدر. أحر التعازي لذوي الشهداء وأمنياتنا بالشفاء للمصابين دم الأردني غالي، وسنضرب بيد من حديد من تطاول على هذا البلد
— عبدالله بن الحسين (@KingAbdullahII) October 23, 2026
Syrian authorities report civilian deaths
Health authorities in Daraa province said six people were killed in the strikes, including three children and a woman.
The Syrian Civil Defence confirmed the death toll and added that a separate strike in neighbouring Suwayda province killed another man.
Syria's de facto government said there had been no prior coordination with Damascus regarding the military operation.
"There was no prior coordination with the Syrian side concerning the military operation," the government said in a statement carried by state news agency SANA.
Following the strikes, Syria's border and customs authority announced the closure of the main border crossing with Jordan, known as Nasib on the Syrian side and Jaber on the Jordanian side.
Passenger and cargo traffic in both directions was suspended "due to current circumstances", authorities said.
Three suspects arrested
Jordanian authorities said three suspects were arrested early Monday in Karak province.
The men, described as members of the same family, were found hiding in an abandoned house.
Public Security Directorate chief Abdallah Maaytah said two of the suspects were brothers and the third was their brother-in-law.
"All are followers of takfiri extremist ideology," he told a press conference.
The suspects were injured during the arrest operation and remain under guard in hospital.
Authorities also reported seizing a large quantity of ammunition from the property.
Before the strikes were launched, Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya said there was no indication the suspected attackers had foreign contacts or had acted on behalf of any outside group.
Jordan vows harsh punishment
The attack shocked Jordan, where Christians make up around 3% of the country's population of approximately 11 million people.
King Abdullah II condemned the attack on Friday and pledged the harshest possible punishment for those responsible.
The Nashama have chased them to the very end. We vowed the terrorists would not escape punishment, and no proponent of dark ideologies that divide Jordanians will be tolerated. We pray that the martyrs’ souls rest in peace and wish the injured a speedy recovery. May God protect and watch over Jordan and its people
— عبدالله بن الحسين (@KingAbdullahII) October 26, 2026
Government Communication Minister Mohammad Al Momani said authorities were prepared to act "with an iron fist, without mercy or leniency" against anyone seeking to harm Jordan.
Under Jordanian law, murder remains punishable by death by hanging.
Source: ANA-MPA
