Jordanian Air Force Targets Syrian Villages After Karak Church Massacre

Jordanian fighter jets bombed villages in southern Syria on Monday, killing at least seven people and sparking a dispute between the two neighbors. The attacks followed a shootout in Jordan that left three suspected gunmen dead, a week after they opened fire on a Greek Orthodox church in the Karak governorate.

The Jordanian military stated the strikes targeted hideouts for armed groups it linked to the church attack. According to the ministry, the operation resulted in the destruction of several vehicles and the casualties of "many members of these terrorist groups." The army did not name the specific factions hit or the exact coordinates of the strikes.

Syrian officials rejected Jordan’s claim of coordination. The Syrian defense ministry said on Telegram that one Jordanian missile struck a family home in the Deraa province, killing five relatives including three children, a woman, and a man. Two other impacts in the Suwayda province killed two men aged 60 and 80.

In response to the bombardment, Syrian border authorities closed the Nassib crossing, the only point for passenger and commercial traffic between the two countries. The shutdown halted all movement in both directions. The Syrian government also launched an investigation into the strikes, emphasizing the need for better field coordination in border zones.

The violence follows the October 23 shooting at a church in Al-Jadeeda, located about 90 kilometers south of Amman. Nine people died and dozens were wounded when three men fired during a funeral service. On Monday, Jordanian security forces arrested two brothers and their brother-in-law after a three-hour shootout. A government source said the three suspects sustained serious injuries.

King Abdullah II ordered a review of security procedures after the massacre, vowing the harshest penalties for those responsible. The Karak region is home to a Christian minority that numbers approximately 300,000 out of Jordan's total population of 11.5 million.

The closure of the Nassib crossing marks the first major trade suspension between the two states since the 2024 diplomatic normalization. Jordanian officials have not announced a timeline for reopening the gate.