Jordanian jets kill five in Syria following Karak church shooting

Cross-border tensions rose on Monday after Jordanian fighter jets struck a village in Syria's southern Daraa province. The attack was a direct response to a shooting at a Christian funeral in Karak, Jordan, that took place earlier in the week. Syrian health officials reported that five people died in the airstrike, including women, children, and an elderly man.

The Jordanian military stated that its jets targeted specific terrorist organizations within Syria. The ministry said it killed and wounded several terrorists but did not release a precise count of casualties. Jordan claimed it coordinated the operation with the Syrian government. Syrian officials disputed this, stating they were not notified of the Monday attack.

The violence follows a Friday attack in which nine people were killed and 34 others injured during a funeral service at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak. Senior security officials in Jordan announced the arrest of three suspects early Monday morning. The Public Security Directorate identified the men as two brothers and their brother-in-law. They were found hiding in an abandoned house in Karak before dawn.

Mazen al-Faraya, Jordan's Interior Minister, told state-affiliated television that the attackers were all Jordanian citizens. He described the group as having been holed up in a building in a village near the attack site. Syria reacted to the air raid by closing the Nassib border crossing. This is the only passenger and commercial crossing between the two countries.

Syrian authorities issued a statement confirming the complete suspension of passenger and commercial traffic in both directions. The decision aimed to ensure the safety of travelers and workers at the crossing. The Syrian government said it opened direct communication channels with Jordanian officials. It also launched comprehensive investigations to establish the full circumstances of the targeting.