Jordan put the preliminary toll from its Oct. 26 strikes in southern Syria at more than 20 Islamic State operatives killed, while Damascus disputed coordination and separate reports differed on civilian deaths.
The Jordanian government also said a major weapons depot was destroyed. Mohammad Momani, Jordan’s minister of government communication and official spokesperson, said Jordan regretted civilian casualties and officials were coordinating with Syrian counterparts to investigate. The Jordan Armed Forces–Arab Army said its first announcement recorded several people killed or wounded but did not give a total.
The Jordan Armed Forces–Arab Army said Syria coordinated the operation. The Syrian government said it had received no prior notice or coordination and had opened an investigation.
Daraa Health Director Khaled al-Amyan said five civilians, including women, children and an elderly man, died in the Daraa countryside. He said two people injured in Al-Muzayrib were taken to hospital. The Associated Press, citing Syrian Civil Defense, reported seven civilian deaths across Daraa and Sweida, including three children and a woman. Al-Amyan’s account covered Daraa, while the AP report included both Daraa and Sweida.
Jordan described the strikes as retaliation for the Karak church attack, which killed nine people. The Jordanian military said the attackers had ties to groups targeted in Syria. The Associated Press reported that three men were arrested after a shootout; Jordan’s Public Security chief told AP they were not connected to an organized group. AP also reported that no group had claimed responsibility.
AFP has described attacks on Jordanian worship sites as uncommon. It also reported that an assault on security personnel in Karak in 2016 killed 10 people; four militants later died after taking refuge in the town’s historic castle.
Jordan said its security coordination with Syria had lasted for years and covered terrorism, arms trafficking and drug smuggling. Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported that Jordan and Syria planned a joint committee to review the strikes and expand counterterrorism coordination. No date for the committee’s work was given.
