Syria says five killed after Jordan retaliates for church attack with airstrikes
Syrian officials report multiple civilian deaths following retaliatory Jordanian airstrikes in southern Syria, which Amman states targeted Islamic State positions linked to a deadly church shooting in Karak. Syrian state media and health officials place the death toll at five to seven civilians, including children, and dispute Jordan claims of prior coordination. In response to the cross-border strikes, Damascus shuttered its main border crossing. Meanwhile, Jordanian authorities announced three arrests and stated more than twenty militants were killed in the raid.
Listen to Live Briefing
Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk
- ✓ Jordan launched retaliatory airstrikes in southern Syria targeting militant positions following a church attack in Karak.
- ✓ Gunmen opened fire on a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan, killing nine people during a funeral.
- ✓ Jordanian authorities arrested three suspects in connection with the church attack, identifying them as two brothers and a brother-in-law.
- ✓ Syrian state media and health officials reported that five to seven civilians, including children, were killed in the airstrikes.
What changed
Jordan and Syria agreed to form a joint security committee following the deadly cross-border strikes on Islamic State sites.
Live updates
-
Syria Reports Casualties After Jordanian Airstrikes Target Militants
Syrian officials report multiple civilian deaths following retaliatory Jordanian airstrikes in southern Syria, which Amman states targeted Islamic State positions linked to a deadly church shooting in Karak. Syrian state media and health officials place the death toll at five to seven civilians, including children, and dispute Jordan claims of prior coordination. In response to the cross-border strikes, Damascus shuttered its main border crossing. Meanwhile, Jordanian authorities announced three arrests and stated more than twenty militants were killed in the raid.
Why it matters
The escalation follows an October 23 attack by gunmen on a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, Jordan, which killed nine mourners during a funeral. Jordan launched the aerial bombardment in southern Syria as retaliation against groups tied to the church massacre. Syria condemned the military action as an unacceptable breach of airspace and violation of sovereignty, adding tension to regional security dynamics.
What is confirmed
- Jordan launched retaliatory airstrikes in southern Syria targeting militant positions following a church attack in Karak.
- Gunmen opened fire on a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan, killing nine people during a funeral.
- Jordanian authorities arrested three suspects in connection with the church attack, identifying them as two brothers and a brother-in-law.
- Syrian state media and health officials reported that five to seven civilians, including children, were killed in the airstrikes.
- Jordanian officials stated that more than twenty Islamic State militants were killed in the strikes.
- Syria condemned the Jordanian strikes as an unacceptable violation of airspace and disputed claims of prior coordination.
- Syria closed its main border crossing following the retaliatory bombing.
Still unconfirmed
- Damascus-based reports varied slightly on the precise civilian death toll, citing either five, seven, or eight individuals killed.
What to watch next
- Operations and outcomes of the newly formed Jordan-Syria security committee.
- Further official updates regarding border crossing closures and security measures between Jordan and Syria.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (27)
- flipboard.com — Beloved singer’s wife killed after welcoming robbery suspects with lemonade
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Death toll rises to 9 after gunmen open fire on church in Jordan
- CBS News — Jordan says 3 arrested in deadly attack on Greek Orthodox church
- BBC — Jordan says 'terrorists' killed in Syria in retaliatory strike over church attack
- The New York Times — Jordan Airstrikes On Syria Kill Seven Civilians, Syrian State Media Says
- Al Jazeera — Why Jordan has struck Syria: What we know
- The Washington Post — Syria says five killed after Jordan retaliates for church attack with airstrikes
- Reuters — Jordan says it killed more than 20 Islamic State militants in airstrikes on Syria
- France 24 — Syria slams deadly Jordan strikes as ‘unacceptable’ breach of airspace
- Vatican News — Jordanian airstrikes in southern Syria kill at least 7, including children
- Yahoo — Syria condemns deadly Jordan strikes as 'unacceptable violation'
- Church News — Church leaders offer sympathy after shooting in Jordan
Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?
Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community