Jordan strikes Syria after church attack; Damascus closes Nassib border crossing

Jordanian fighter jets struck what Jordan's military described as terrorist organisations in Syria's southern Daraa province on Monday, retaliating for a shooting at a Greek Orthodox church funeral in Karak the previous Friday that killed nine people and wounded 34.

Syrian health officials told state media that five people — including women, children and an elderly man — died in the strike on a village in Daraa province. Jordan said it had killed and wounded several terrorists without providing further figures.

The two governments' accounts diverged immediately. Jordan said it had coordinated with the Syrian government; Syria said it had not been notified of the attack.

In response, Syrian authorities announced the complete suspension of passenger and commercial traffic in both directions at the Nassib crossing — the only passenger and commercial border crossing between the two countries — citing the need to ensure the safety of travellers and workers. Syria also said it had opened direct communication channels with Jordanian officials and launched investigations into the circumstances of the strike.

Jordanian security forces had earlier arrested three men over the Karak church attack: two brothers and their brother-in-law. Jordan's Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya told state-affiliated television that all the attackers were Jordanian nationals who had been found hiding in a building near the attack site.