Jordanian air force jets struck targets in southern Syria on October 27, 2026, in retaliation for a deadly attack on a Greek Orthodox church that left nine people dead. While Jordan stated the operation was conducted in coordination with Damascus, Syria gave a contradictory account, stating the attacks took place without prior coordination, prompting Syria to close the Nassib border crossing.
The Retaliatory Airstrikes and Conflicting Accounts
Fighter jets from the Royal Air Force destroyed a number of terrorist sites in southeastern Syria, according to a statement released by the Jordanian Armed Forces on X. The armed forces reported that the mission successfully eliminated and injured numerous members of the terrorist groups while wiping out several of their vehicles. Jordan stated the operation was conducted in coordination with Damascus.
However, Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs contradicted Jordan’s account. Damascus stated it was in contact with Jordan to establish the circumstances of the operation and said it will address the aftermath of the attacks while “safeguarding Syria’s security and sovereignty”. The director of health in the southern province of Daraa told the Syrian national news agency, Sana, that at least five civilians had been killed, including women, children and a 65-year-old man. There was no immediate comment from Jordan regarding these civilian casualty reports.
Arrests Following the Karak Church Massacre
The military escalation follows the arrest of three Jordanian men connected to the violence at the Greek Orthodox church. Jordanian security forces apprehended two brothers and their brother-in-law following a shootout at an abandoned house, as detailed by officials. Major-General Obaidullah al-Maaytah, Jordan’s director of public security, identified the detained suspects as Hazza Zaidan Mohammed, Meshal Zaidan Mohammed, and Ahmad Sami Hussein.
The original assault occurred during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hamoud, roughly 120 kilometers southwest of Amman, wounding at least 34 people in addition to the nine fatalities. Major-General al-Maaytah and Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya stated that the suspects appeared to act independently. “God willing, they only represent themselves,” al-Maaytah said, adding that the investigation remains active with no current indications of broader domestic cells.
Border Closures and Regional Precedents
In the aftermath of the strikes, Syria said it had closed the Nassib border crossing, suspending traffic in both directions. Nassib is Jordan’s only passenger and commercial border crossing with Syria.
Since 2023, the Jordanian kingdom has carried out a series of airstrikes inside Syrian territory, explaining that their goal was to intercept traffickers smuggling weapons and narcotics. These previous cross-border operations have drawn international scrutiny. In January 2024, Human Rights Watch demanded accountability after Jordanian airstrikes killed women and children, asserting that civilian protection requires constant oversight regardless of regional smuggling threats.
| Event / Action | Date | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Greek Orthodox Church Attack | October 23, 2026 | Nine people killed during a funeral in Hamoud, Karak governorate. |
| Suspects Arrested | October 26, 2026 | Three relatives detained after a shootout. |
| Jordanian Airstrikes in Syria | October 27, 2026 | Royal Air Force jets strike southern Syria in retaliation; Syria reports civilian casualties. |
| Border Crossing Closure | October 27, 2026 | Syria closes the Nassib border crossing following the airstrikes. |
