Jordan arrests three over church attack, launches disputed strikes in Syria

Jordanian security forces arrested three men on Monday over an attack on a Greek Orthodox church that killed nine people during a funeral procession in Karak governorate on Friday.

The Public Security Directorate said the suspects barricaded themselves in an abandoned house and opened fire during a dawn raid. All three were wounded; one was reported in critical condition and two were stable. No security personnel were hurt. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said the suspects were Jordanian and that there was no indication of foreign involvement.

Jordan later launched airstrikes in southeastern Syria, saying it had targeted armed-group hideouts in retaliation for the church attack. Reuters reported that Jordan said more than 20 Islamic State militants were killed. The Jordanian military also said the operation was coordinated with Syria and destroyed vehicles used by the groups.

Syria disputed Jordan’s account, saying it had received no advance notice or coordination. Syria’s Civil Defence said strikes at four sites in Deraa and Suweyda killed seven people, including three children and a woman. It said five victims belonged to one family whose tent was struck. Syria subsequently closed the Nassib border crossing, the main passenger and commercial route between the countries.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II had pledged that those responsible for the church attack would face punishment. Dozens of people were also wounded in the shooting.