Jordan has carried out airstrikes against suspected militant positions in southern Syria following a deadly shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan, escalating tensions between the neighbouring countries. The operation, announced on October 26, 2026, was described by Jordanian authorities as a response to armed groups allegedly linked to the church attack, which killed nine people and injured more than two dozen others.
The strikes prompted a diplomatic dispute after Syrian authorities said the operation had not been coordinated with Damascus and reported civilian casualties. Syria subsequently closed its main border crossing with Jordan, suspending passenger and commercial traffic in both directions.
Jordan Says Strikes Targeted Groups Linked to Church Attack
Jordan’s armed forces said the airstrikes targeted positions associated with what they described as terrorist organisations operating in southeastern Syria. The military reported that the operation killed or wounded members of the groups and destroyed several vehicles.
However, Jordan did not publicly identify the organisations targeted or provide precise details about the locations struck.
The operation followed an investigation into the October 23 shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in Hamoud, in Jordan’s Karak governorate. Three gunmen allegedly opened fire during a funeral gathering, killing nine people and injuring at least 34.
The attack shocked the country and prompted King Abdullah II to promise a forceful response against those responsible. Jordan also announced three days of mourning for the victims.
Syria Reports Civilian Deaths and Rejects Claims of Coordination
Syrian authorities disputed Jordan’s account of the operation, saying the strikes had killed civilians in the southern provinces of Daraa and Suwayda.
Initial reports indicated that at least seven people had died, including three children, a woman and elderly men. Subsequent reports from Syrian officials put the death toll at eight in Daraa province, while investigations into the full impact of the strikes continued.
Damascus said Jordan had not coordinated the military action with the Syrian government beforehand. Syrian officials expressed objections to the operation and called for security cooperation along the border to prevent further escalation.
Jordan, meanwhile, maintained that its operation had been coordinated with Syria, creating conflicting accounts between the two governments.
Syrian authorities opened an investigation into the strikes and began communicating with Jordan over the incident.
Syria Closes the Nassib Border Crossing
Following the airstrikes, Syria announced the closure of the Nassib border crossing, known as Jaber on the Jordanian side. The suspension applies to both passenger and commercial traffic.
The crossing is the principal land route connecting Jordan and Syria for travellers and trade. Its closure could disrupt the movement of goods and people between the two countries while officials assess the security situation.
The decision also highlights the wider economic consequences of the dispute, particularly for businesses and transport operators that rely on cross-border trade.
Both countries face pressure to prevent the latest developments from creating a longer-running diplomatic or security crisis.
Three Suspects Arrested in Jordan
Separately, Jordanian security forces arrested three men suspected of involvement in the church shooting following a confrontation in the Karak area.
Authorities identified the suspects as two brothers and their brother-in-law. The arrests followed a shootout that left all three men injured. Officials said security personnel recovered firearms and ammunition during the operation.
Jordanian security officials described the suspects as holding extremist views but said there was no established evidence at that stage linking them to a wider organised group. No organisation had publicly claimed responsibility for the church attack.
The investigation into the suspects’ motives and possible connections remains ongoing.
Regional Security Concerns Grow
The airstrikes and subsequent border closure have raised concerns about the potential for a local security incident to strain relations between neighbouring countries.
Jordan has long sought to prevent militant activity from spreading across its borders, while Syria has emphasised its sovereignty and the need for coordination before foreign military operations take place on its territory.
The immediate challenge for both governments is to establish the circumstances surrounding the church attack, clarify the impact of the airstrikes and prevent further violence.
The coming days may prove important in determining whether diplomatic communication can resolve the dispute or whether the incident leads to additional restrictions and heightened tensions along the Jordan-Syria border.
