Syria Condemns Deadly Jordan Strikes After Church Attack Revenge Raids

Syria – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – Syria condemns deadly Jordan strikes that hit the country’s south on Monday. Damascus says the raids were launched without any warning or coordination.

Jordan says the attacks were revenge for a gun attack on a church last week. It says more than 20 Islamic State fighters were killed.

This is the worst crisis between the two neighbours since Bashar al-Assad was removed from power in December 2024.

Jordan’s government spokesman, Mohammad al-Momani, said early results show heavy losses among the militants. He also said a large weapons depot was destroyed.

He said Jordan avoided places where it believed civilians were living. He also expressed regret for any civilian deaths.

Jordan says it has great respect for Syria and its people. Amman also insists it coordinated the strikes with Damascus.

Syria denies that claim. Its foreign ministry rejected the strikes and called them an unacceptable breach of its airspace.

It also called the raid a clear violation of good-neighbourly principles and national sovereignty.

Syria’s civil defence agency says seven people were killed, including three children. Five of them died in Al-Taf village in Daraa province, which lies on the Jordan border.

Families Left in Ruins

Nassouh al-Salim said his family was asleep when a missile hit their home. His mother, his older brother and his brother’s three children were killed.

An AFP reporter saw a huge crater where the house once stood. School books, clothes and broken furniture lay in the rubble.

Border Closed, Talks Continue

After the strikes, Syria closed the main Nassib border crossing with Jordan. All passenger and commercial traffic was stopped in both directions.

Later on Tuesday, Syrian minister Raed al-Saleh said both sides were using diplomatic and legal channels. He said the goal is justice for the victims.

The Church Attack Behind It All

Last week, gunmen killed nine people and wounded 25 others during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church. The church is in Hammoud village in Karak governorate.

Jordan says it has arrested three suspects, including two brothers. All three were wounded in a shootout with security forces.

King Abdullah II vowed that the attackers would not escape punishment. He said no one spreading divisive ideologies would be tolerated.

Islamic State lost its territory in Syria in 2019. Small groups of its fighters still remain, including in parts of Daraa.