Jordan strikes Syria after funeral shooting kills nine in Jordan
Jordan said its military struck what it called terrorist organisations in Syria, in retaliation for a shooting at a Christian funeral in Jordan that killed nine people. Syrian officials reported that five people, including women, children and an elderly man, were killed in the strike, while Jordan said several people were killed or wounded.
The strike took place in Daraa province, and the two governments gave conflicting accounts of whether it had been co-ordinated with Syria. Syria closed the Nassib crossing, the only passenger and commercial crossing between the countries, while saying it had opened communication channels with Jordan and begun an investigation. Earlier, Jordan said it had arrested three relatives suspected of carrying out the attack, which also injured 34 people.
In short
- Jordan says the Syria strike targeted groups responsible for the church attack.
- Syrian officials report five people were killed in Daraa.
- Syria closed its only passenger and commercial crossing with Jordan.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Jordan could argue that the funeral shooting, which killed nine people and injured many others, required a serious response to protect the public and deter further attacks. If the people or organisations responsible were operating from Syria and posed an ongoing threat, a limited strike could be seen as necessary, provided it was lawful and based on reliable intelligence.
The case against
Syria and critics of the strike could argue that attacking inside another country risks killing civilians and escalating tensions, especially when the governments dispute whether the operation was co-ordinated. Jordan’s arrests of suspects also raise the question of whether investigation and co-operation could address the threat without a cross-border strike.
Explained simply
Jordan and Syria share a border that runs through areas affected by years of conflict. Daraa, where Jordan said its strike took place, is in southern Syria; the Nassib crossing links the two countries and is important for travel and trade.
Jordan’s military said it targeted armed groups in Syria after a shooting at a Christian funeral in Jordan. The two governments have given different accounts of whether they co-ordinated the strike, and Syria has said it is investigating.
The events matter because violence across the border can strain relations between neighbouring states and disrupt movement and trade. The closure of the Nassib crossing affects the main passenger and commercial route between Jordan and Syria.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Jordan says ‘terrorists’ killed in Syria in retaliatory strike over church attack”.