Symbolic imageJordan strikes southern Syria after church attack, Damascus protests
Jordan says its air strikes in southern Syria on Monday night killed more than 20 Islamic State fighters. Syria condemns them as an unacceptable violation and says civilians died.
Jordan's air force hit what it called hideouts of terrorist organisations late on Monday, 26 October, in retaliation for Friday's attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Hammoud, Karak, which killed nine people. Government spokesperson Mohammad al-Momani said the strikes hit Islamic State positions and destroyed a large weapons depot, citing field intelligence on planned attacks. The army said the targeted groups have ties to the church attackers. Jordan had arrested three suspects that day, two brothers and their brother-in-law, who public security director Maaytah said hold takfiri ideology.
Civilian deaths
Syria's Civil Defence says seven people died in Deraa and Suweida provinces, including five relatives, three of them children, in a strike on a tent. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights counted at least eight dead and said the toll could rise. Al-Momani said Jordan regrets the civilian casualties and avoids targets where civilians are present.
Dispute over coordination
Jordan's army says it acted in coordination with Damascus, which denies this and calls the strikes an unacceptable violation of its sovereignty. Syria closed its main border crossing with Jordan, while both sides say they will form a joint committee to deal with the consequences.
Other opinions
The Jerusalem Post covers the church attack and the Greek Orthodox patriarch's reaction, not the strikes or their civilian toll.