Airstrike in Southern Syria Results in Civilian Deaths

Tensions are running high in Syria as conflicting reports emerge from Amman and Damascus regarding a recent airstrike that resulted in the deaths of civilians.

The Jordanian military has claimed responsibility for targeting alleged ISIL (ISIS) strongholds in southern Syria's Deraa and Suwayda regions, citing revenge for last week's attack on a Greek Orthodox church in the kingdom. According to Jordan, over 20 fighters were killed in the strikes.

However, images have surfaced showing a grandmother and her three grandchildren among those who lost their lives in the attack, sparking outrage across Syria. This incident appears to be particularly egregious given that similar civilian casualties have occurred in the past as a result of Jordanian military operations.

The Syrian public is increasingly frustrated with the government's response to these incidents, feeling that it should be doing more to protect its citizens and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. As Navvar Saban, a researcher at the Arab Center for Contemporary Syrian Studies, notes, this sentiment reflects an expectation of accountability from Damascus in such situations.

The rift between Amman and Damascus over this incident highlights the complexities of regional relationships and the challenges of balancing security concerns with human rights and civilian protection. The situation remains volatile, with many wondering how this will play out in the coming days.

The attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan's Karak governorate has sparked a heated debate between Amman and Damascus over who was behind it.

Jordanian authorities have blamed "extremist terrorists for the assault that killed nine people and wounded at least 34 others. The government has vowed to take swift action, with King Abdullah II promising a strong response to the attack.

Experts say the targeting of a Christian church in a predominantly tribal area has put pressure on the Jordanian government to show results from its investigation into the attack. This is an unprecedented event, said Sean Yom, an expert on Jordan at Temple University. The government feels compelled to respond quickly and effectively.

Jordanian authorities have arrested three men suspected of being involved in the church attack. However, the situation took a surprising turn when Amman launched airstrikes against southern Syria, claiming it was done in coordination with Damascus.

Damascus has rejected this claim, saying that Jordan's strikes were carried out without prior notification or coordination. A Syrian official described the attacks as treacherous", highlighting the deepening tensions between the two countries.

The investigation into the recent attacks on Syrian civilians is ongoing, but tensions between Damascus and Amman continue to escalate. Analysts suggest that both governments have a vested interest in presenting their actions as legitimate, with Jordan wanting to demonstrate its efforts to combat security threats and Syria seeking to avoid appearing complicit in operations that result in civilian casualties.

The family of six who were killed by the Jordanian strike on a tent in al-Taff village, Lajat area, has been recovered. In addition to the fatalities, three other family members sustained injuries in the attack, according to Syria's civil defence.

In another incident, an 80-year-old man named Riyad Karrad was killed in the al-Shayah farms near Nassib, while a 60-year-old man, Mutlaq Abu al-Khalil, lost his life in Shuhayb, northern Suwayda countryside. These losses come amid ongoing air strikes by Jordan on Syria since 2023.

Jordan has claimed that its strikes primarily target arms or drug smugglers, but human rights groups have raised concerns about civilian casualties. In January 2024, a strike was said to have killed women and children, prompting further scrutiny of the country's military actions.

The Nassib border crossing with Jordan was temporarily closed by Syrian customs authorities on Tuesday before being reopened for passenger and commercial traffic the following day. This move reflects the complex dynamics at play along the border region.

While the investigation into these incidents continues, the risk of escalation between Damascus and Amman remains high due to competing interests and concerns about security threats in the region.

Tensions between Amman and Damascus have been building despite efforts to improve relations.

The two countries have shared interests in maintaining a strong relationship, particularly when it comes to regional security concerns.

Jordan wants Syria to become more secure and coherent for several reasons, including the need to address issues related to refugees and border control.

A stronger allied Syria would also help Jordan resist Israel's expansionist policies, which affect not only Jordan but also neighboring countries such as Lebanon.

The recent trilateral agreement signed in July 2025 between Syria, the US, and Jordan aimed at resolving internal disputes over violence in Suwayda highlights the importance of cooperation between the two nations.

Syria's Foreign Ministry has issued a statement condemning the strikes as an infringement on its sovereignty, while hinting at continued diplomatic efforts with Jordan.

The ministry emphasized that Damascus is working closely with Amman to establish a joint security committee aimed at bolstering border security and preventing future incidents of this nature. This cooperation is seen as a step towards strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.

Jordanian politician Saban echoed concerns over accountability, stating that even if an investigation were to reveal some level of approval from Damascus for the operation, it would not suffice in explaining the circumstances surrounding the civilian casualties or justify a lack of responsibility.