Damascus, Amman contradict each other on attack that killed civilians
News Source
•Thu, 29 Oct 2026 13:44:42 +0000
📰 What Happened
Jordan's air force struck southern Syria on Monday night, saying it killed more than 20 ISIS fighters. Jordan called the targets “dens of terrorist organisations”. It linked them to a church attack last week that killed nine people.
The next day, Syrians shared images of a grandmother and her three grandchildren killed in the strikes. Damascus says the raids came “without prior coordination or notification”. It called them “treacherous”.
Jordan says the strikes were coordinated with Syrian authorities. The two governments now give opposite accounts of what was agreed. Syria's foreign ministry still says ties with Amman will keep getting stronger.
🔍 The Backstory
Jordan has launched several air strikes on Syria since 2023, usually aimed at arms or drug smugglers. Under Bashar al-Assad, southern Syria became a route for the drug captagon. Some smuggling is believed to have continued after Assad fell in December 2024.
Jordan arrested three men over the church attack on Monday. King Abdullah II promised an “iron fist” response. Analysts say Damascus cannot afford to look like it approved a strike that killed Syrian families.
🎯 Why It Matters
When neighbours disagree about who killed civilians, families get no clear answers. It also threatens a border deal that keeps trade and refugees moving.
Jordan's air force struck southern Syria on Monday night, saying it killed more than 20 ISIS fighters. Jordan called the targets “dens of terrorist organisations”. It linked them to a church attack last week that killed nine people.
The next day, Syrians shared images of a grandmother and her three grandchildren killed in the strikes. Damascus says the raids came “without prior coordination or notification”. It called them “treacherous”.
Jordan says the strikes were coordinated with Syrian authorities. The two governments now give opposite accounts of what was agreed. Syria's foreign ministry still says ties with Amman will keep getting stronger.
Jordan has launched several air strikes on Syria since 2023, usually aimed at arms or drug smugglers. Under Bashar al-Assad, southern Syria became a route for the drug captagon. Some smuggling is believed to have continued after Assad fell in December 2024.
Jordan arrested three men over the church attack on Monday. King Abdullah II promised an “iron fist” response. Analysts say Damascus cannot afford to look like it approved a strike that killed Syrian families.
When neighbours disagree about who killed civilians, families get no clear answers. It also threatens a border deal that keeps trade and refugees moving.