At least eight people have lost their lives this Monday in a series of bombings by the Jordanian Air Force over southern Syria. Amman claims that the attacks were carried out "in coordination" with the Syrian government, a version that the authorities in Damascus categorically deny.
Health sources from the province of Daraa, in southwestern Syria, have confirmed the death of eight civilians, including three minors, a woman, and a 65-year-old man who had been transferred to the hospital and ultimately died from shrapnel wounds. At least four other people have been injured in these Jordanian airstrikes against several points in the region, while the government led by Ahmed al Sharaa has not yet issued any public comment.
The Jordanian Army has reported that its aircraft have struck positions of "terrorist" groups in southern Syria, insisting that the operation was carried out "in coordination" with the Syrian authorities. The offensive is part of a campaign called 'Jordanian Deterrence', aimed at "the hideouts of terrorist organizations", without providing specific identities or further details.
According to the military statement, these attacks have taken place "in retaliation" for the attack last Friday against a church in the town of Hamud, in Jordan, which left nine dead and around thirty injured. The Armed Forces have stated that those responsible for the attack "are linked" to these organizations and have announced the arrest of three men from the same family —two brothers and a political relative— identified as "terrorists" for their alleged involvement in the attack.
The Jordanian Army asserts that, as a result of the operation, "several terrorist bases" have been destroyed, along with their equipment, and that "several" fighters from these groups have died or been injured. In its statement, the military institution emphasizes that it "will remain firm against those who seek to undermine the security of Jordanians".
In reaction to the bombings, the Syrian government has issued a statement reiterating that there was no prior coordination and expressing its "total solidarity" with the victims and their Syrian families, according to the official agency SANA.
"The relevant authorities are closely monitoring the situation to assess the needs of those affected and to provide the necessary support and humanitarian aid immediately," adds the text, which also announces the opening of an investigation to clarify what happened and the initiation of contacts with Jordan.
Damascus emphasizes, in any case, the "imperative" importance of bilateral coordination on security matters in the border area, always with respect for the sovereignty of Syria and "the stability of the two brother nations."
Hours later, the General Authority of Ports and Customs of Syria has communicated the closure of the border crossing of Nassib with Jordan, a move that could represent a new escalation in the already tense relations between the two countries.