Jordan strikes targets in Syria after church attack
Amman says the targets were linked to suspects in the Karak attack.
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Jordan carried out air strikes on locations in southern Syria on Monday. The government says groups linked to the deadly attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan were active there.
According to the army, the Jordanian air force attacked hideouts and vehicles belonging to armed groups. Jordan said the operation was carried out in coordination with Damascus, but Syria has not officially confirmed the attack so far.
The attack on the church in Karak province killed nine people. Earlier reports also said that dozens of people were injured in the attack. No one has claimed responsibility.
Syrian state media reported that at least five civilians, including women and children, were killed in the Jordanian strikes. Jordanian authorities have not confirmed that death toll. It is also unclear which organisation was specifically targeted.
Jordanian authorities announced on Monday that three suspects in the church attack had been arrested after a shoot-out with security forces. According to the security services, there are no indications that the suspects were part of a larger cell, but the investigation is still under way.
The attack increases the risk of further regional escalation. Jordan is regarded as a relatively stable ally of the United States, but borders Syria and has increasingly sought in recent years to keep armed groups outside its territory. The government says it wants to protect its citizens and religious minorities; Damascus will have to decide whether to accept the Jordanian military action.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Jordan says it attacked targets in southern Syria.
- The attack followed a deadly assault on a church in Karak.
- Syrian state media reported civilian deaths, but this has not been independently confirmed.
- According to Jordan, three suspects have been arrested.
Left
Arguments The emphasis is on the dangers of military retaliation and the protection of civilians. A cross-border attack without transparent evidence could cause new casualties and further instability.
Values International law, protection of civilians and restraint in the use of military force.
Consequences Fears of escalation, new refugee flows and less room for diplomatic solutions.
Centre
Arguments Jordan has the right to protect its population, but must account for the targets, legal basis and results of the operation and coordinate with Syria.
Values Security combined with proportionality, evidence and regional cooperation.
Consequences A limited operation may act as a deterrent, but uncertainty over the targets could instead increase tensions.
Right
Arguments A state seeking to protect civilians and religious minorities must swiftly eliminate armed groups, even when they are hiding just across the border.
Values National security, order and deterrence of terrorism.
Consequences A forceful response could prevent new attacks, but increases the risk of a wider conflict if the targets were incorrectly identified.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article's central claims are confirmed by Reuters and AP. The reported Syrian death toll is clearly presented as an unconfirmed Syrian account.
- confirmed Jordan carried out air strikes in southern Syria on 26 October. — Reported by the Jordanian army and Reuters/AP. source
- confirmed The strikes followed a church attack in Karak in which nine people were killed. — Reuters and AP describe the attack and the reported death toll. source
- uncertain Syrian state media reported five civilian deaths caused by the strikes. — The report came from Syrian state media and has not been independently confirmed. source
Editor's note
The Jordanian attack and the arrests were reported by Reuters and AP. The Syrian death toll comes from Syrian state media and has not been independently confirmed; the identity of the targets remains unclear.Sources
- Jordan says it attacks militants in Syria tied to last week's church attack — Reuters via MarketScreener
- Jordan says it attacks militants in Syria tied to last week's church attack — Associated Press
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „jordanië syrie”
- de Volkskrant — „jordanië syrie”
- RTL Nieuws — „jordanië syrie”