Brief
Jordan admits civilian deaths in Syrian airstrikes that killed IS militants
Jordan confirmed that its retaliation for a funeral attack in Karak resulted in civilian casualties in Daraa and Sweida provinces.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Jordan announced on Tuesday that airstrikes it carried out in southern Syria killed about 20 Islamic State militants but also caused civilian deaths, Syrian rescuers said.
What happened
The Hashemite Kingdom’s air force struck targets in the Daraa and Sweida provinces on Monday evening, responding to a funeral attack at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak that killed nine people. Syrian civil defence officials reported seven civilian deaths, including a family of five with three children, and two elderly men.
What the reports add
The Los Angeles Times noted that Jordan’s government spokesperson Mohammad al‑Momani gave a casualty figure of roughly 20 militants, while Syrian first‑responders documented the seven civilian fatalities. The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes as an “unacceptable violation and encroachment” of Syrian airspace but said both capitals remain in communication and will strengthen security coordination.
What was said
Al‑Momani told reporters the strikes were based on intelligence about confirmed terrorist threats and expressed regret over the civilian casualties. Syrian officials described the attacks as uncoordinated and a breach of sovereignty. Masoud al‑Salim, who lost his wife, son and three grandchildren in the Al‑Tuff strike, told the paper, “I came running and found there was no house anymore… I started looking under the rubble.”
How it came about
The strikes follow Jordan’s arrest of three gunmen suspected in the Karak funeral attack, though their affiliation was not disclosed. The incident occurs against a backdrop of renewed Jordan‑Syria security cooperation after the 2024 transition to interim President Ahmad al‑Sharaa’s Islamist‑led government, as previously reported by Felo News.
Key facts
- Jordan said its airstrikes killed about 20 IS militants. (latimes.com)
- Syrian civil defence reported seven civilian deaths, including a family of five. (latimes.com)
- The strikes were retaliation for a funeral attack in Karak that killed nine people. (latimes.com)
- Jordanian spokesperson Mohammad al‑Momani expressed regret over civilian casualties. (latimes.com)
- Masoud al‑Salim lost his wife, son and three grandchildren in the Al‑Tuff strike. (latimes.com)
Sources
- [1] latimes.com — originally reported as “Jordan acknowledges Syrian civilian deaths in strikes it says killed IS extremists”
