Syrian Border Closure Follows Jordanian Retaliatory Strike

Syrian authorities suspended all passenger and commercial traffic at the Nassib border crossing on Monday following a retaliatory airstrike by Jordan.

The closure affects the only link between the two nations for moving people and goods. Jordanian fighter jets targeted a village in the southern Daraa province, an area Syrian health officials said saw five civilians killed. Those killed included women, children, and an elderly man. Jordan stated its forces engaged "terrorist organisations," claiming to have killed and wounded several targets without specifying exact numbers.

The strikes were ordered in response to a shooting at a Greek Orthodox church funeral in Karak last Friday. That attack left nine people dead and 34 others injured. Jordanian security forces arrested three men on Monday morning. The Public Security Directorate identified them as two brothers and their brother-in-law, all of whom were hiding in an abandoned house in Karak. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya confirmed the suspects were Jordanians who had taken shelter in a building near the attack site.

The diplomatic friction centers on the timing of the military action. Jordan declared it had coordinated the operation with the Syrian government. Damascus disputed this account, stating it had not received notification of the attack. Syrian officials said they opened direct communication channels with Jordan and began investigations to determine the full circumstances of the targeting. The Nassib crossing remains closed to ensure the safety of workers and travelers during this review process.