Jordan's Border Closure Cuts Off Syria's Final Gateway After Deadly Retaliation

Jordan’s air force struck targets in southern Syria on Monday, killing at least seven people.

The attacks followed a fatal shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak governorate last week. That incident left nine people dead and dozens wounded. Jordanian military officials described Monday’s operation as a response to hideouts used by armed groups linked to the church attackers.

The Jordanian military stated that the strikes targeted terrorist organizations in southeastern Syria. The service said the operation destroyed several vehicles and killed or wounded many group members. However, the military did not name the specific groups or pinpoint the exact locations of the bombs.

Syria’s defense ministry disputed Jordan’s account. In a statement on Telegram, the ministry said one Jordanian attack hit five members of the same family. Those killed included three children, a woman, and a man. The ministry reported that two other strikes killed two elderly men, aged 60 and 80. The strikes hit the Deraa and Suwayda provinces.

Jordan said it launched the efforts in coordination with the Syrian government. Syria denied this cooperation. The Syrian government launched an investigation into the attacks and stressed the need for joint field and security coordination in border areas.

Following the airstrikes, the Syrian border authority closed the Nassib border crossing. Traffic in both directions was suspended. Nassib is Jordan’s only passenger and commercial border crossing with Syria.

Earlier on Monday, Jordanian security forces arrested three men in the village of Al-Jadeeda. The suspects are two brothers and their brother-in-law. A shootout with authorities lasted about three hours. A government source said the suspects sustained serious injuries. King Abdullah II pledged a stern response to the October 23 church attack and ordered a review of security procedures.