Jordan Says Airstrikes Killed More Than 20 Islamic State Militants in Syria

DAMASCUS, SYRIA — Jordan said its military killed more than 20 Islamic State militants in airstrikes on southern Syria on October 26, following a deadly shooting at a church in Jordan that authorities linked to militant groups operating across the border. Syrian officials reported that the strikes killed seven people, including three children and a woman.

The strikes targeted locations Jordan described as militant hideouts. Jordanian authorities said they had identified connections between the suspects in the church attack, which killed nine people, and terrorist groups based in Syria. Security forces also arrested two brothers and their brother-in-law following a shootout linked to the attack.

The civilian deaths have sparked anger in Syria. Residents of Al-Mismiyah, in Daraa province, reported hearing aircraft and explosions late Monday. One local resident said four members of a family, including three children, were killed. Jordanian Government Communication Minister Mohammed al-Momani expressed regret over the civilian casualties.

The two countries also offered conflicting accounts of coordination surrounding the operation. Jordan said its military acted in coordination with Damascus, while the Syrian government maintained that the strikes occurred without prior coordination and announced an investigation. Syria’s Foreign Ministry condemned the operation as a violation of the country’s sovereignty.

Despite the dispute, Damascus said it would establish a joint security committee with Amman to strengthen border security and prevent further incidents. The two countries had previously agreed to cooperate against arms and drug smuggling and efforts to prevent the resurgence of Islamic State militancy.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Patr. Theophilos III visited victims of the deadly church attack in Jordan.