Jordan’s Deadly Strikes in Syria: Seven Killed, Including Children, as Border Closes
Jordan launched airstrikes on southern Syria early Tuesday, killing at least seven people, including three children and a woman, according to Syrian officials. The strikes, which Jordan said targeted “hideouts” of armed groups in southeastern Syria, were in retaliation for a gun attack on a church in Jordan’s Karak governorate last Friday that killed nine people. The attack occurred during a Christian funeral, prompting Jordan’s military to vow a strong response. The attacks on Monday prompted Syria to close its main crossing with Jordan, a key trade route, amid rising tensions between the two neighbors.nnJordan’s Armed Forces stated that its fighter jets had killed and wounded “several terrorists” without providing further details. However, Jordan’s Government Communication Minister Mohammed Al-Momani expressed regret over civilian casualties in a post on X, saying, “We regret any civilian casualties.” Syrian health officials told state media that five people, including women, children, and an elderly man, were killed in a strike on a village in the southern Daraa province. Later reports indicated that the death toll had risen to seven. The conflicting accounts highlight the volatility of the situation and the difficulty of verifying details in the aftermath of the strikes.nnJordan said on Tuesday it had killed more than 20 Daesh militants in airstrikes on southern Syria the previous evening, launched in response to the church attack that authorities linked to militants operating across the border. The strikes mark a significant escalation in Jordan’s efforts to combat armed groups that threaten its security. The church attack in Karak, which killed nine people, was one of the deadliest in Jordan in recent years, and the government has been under pressure to respond decisively. The closure of the border crossing by Syria is likely to have economic repercussions, as it is a vital lifeline for trade and travel between the two countries.nnThe incident has drawn international attention, with questions remaining about the exact targets and the potential for further escalation. Syria’s closure of its main crossing with Jordan underscores the fragility of regional stability. As both countries grapple with the aftermath, the focus will be on whether this exchange of violence leads to a broader conflict or prompts diplomatic efforts to de-escalate. The international community is watching closely
Shimanta Das 
