Jordan closes sole Syrian border gate after airstrike toll reaches seven

Jordan halted all traffic at the Nassib border crossing on Monday, effectively closing the only passenger and commercial gateway between the two nations. The suspension came hours after Jordanian aircraft struck targets in southern Syria, killing at least seven people.

The Jordanian military stated that the operation targeted hideouts for armed groups linked to a church shooting in the Karak governorate. Initial reports indicated the strikes killed seven individuals, including a woman and children. The ministry said the attacks destroyed several vehicles and wounded many members of the targeted groups. It did not name the specific organizations or provide precise coordinates for the hits.

Syrian authorities denied that the strikes were coordinated with their government, despite Jordan's claim of joint action. The Syrian defense ministry said on Telegram that one Jordanian bomb hit five members of the same family, killing three children, a woman, and a man. Two additional strikes killed a 60-year-old man and an 80-year-old man. The impacts were recorded in the Deraa and Suwayda provinces.

In response to the civilian casualties, the Syrian government launched an investigation into the Jordanian attacks. A statement from Damascus emphasized the need for joint field and security coordination in border regions. The border authority confirmed the closure of the Nassib crossing, suspending movement in both directions.

The military action followed the arrest of three suspects in the October 23 church attack. Jordanian security forces detained two brothers and their brother-in-law in the village of Al-Jadeeda after a three-hour shootout. A government source told Al Jazeera that the suspects sustained serious injuries during the confrontation. The men are suspected of opening fire on a Greek Orthodox church during a funeral service.

The attack occurred approximately 90 kilometers south of Amman. Three men allegedly fired on the congregation, leaving nine people dead and dozens wounded. King Abdullah II pledged a stern response to the incident, ordering a review of national security procedures. He stated that those responsible would face the harshest penalties available under Jordanian law.

Karak governorate is home to a minority Christian population of about 300,000 within Jordan's total population of 11.5 million. The recent violence has intensified scrutiny on border security and the relationship between the two neighbors.