Jordan announced that in its recent airstrikes against the terrorist group ISIS in southern Syria, it has eliminated over 20 terrorists. These strikes, carried out on Monday evening, were in response to a deadly attack on a church in Jordan, which officials in the country have linked to terrorists operating across the border.
Details of Jordan's Airstrikes
The Jordanian Ministry of Defense announced that the country's air force targeted the hideouts of terrorists in southern Syria, and this action was taken after establishing a connection between the attack on the church and terrorist groups based in Syria. Previously, nine people had lost their lives in the attack on the church in Jordan. Jordanian security officials also reported the arrest of two brothers and the brother-in-law of one of the victims of this attack.
Read more: Jordan attacked terrorist groups in Syria after the church attack
Syria's Reaction to the Attacks and Their Implications
The Syrian government stated that Jordan's airstrikes resulted in the deaths of seven people, including three children and one woman. The Jordanian Ministry of Communications expressed regret over the civilian casualties, emphasizing that these strikes were aimed at eliminating terrorist threats. While the Jordanian army claims that these strikes were coordinated with the Damascus government, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described this action as a violation of its national sovereignty and stated that it will investigate the matter.
Recent statements from Jordanian officials regarding the lack of prior planning for the church attack have raised ambiguities about Jordan's justifications for these cross-border strikes. This issue could create further tensions in the relations between the two countries, especially as each side seeks to uphold its sovereignty.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that no group has claimed responsibility for the attack on the church, but Jordan has emphasized that the targeted terrorists in Syria were members of ISIS. These developments clearly reflect the complex security challenges that Jordan and Syria face and could lead to changes in the security policies of both countries.
Read more: Jordan arrested three suspects in connection with the church attack · Druze of the Golan Heights and changing attitudes towards Israel
