Syria and Jordan Tensions Rise After Church Attack Retaliation

Five fatalities occurred on Monday, according to the Syrian government, following Jordan’s airstrikes in retaliation for a church attack. The attack occurred last week, prompting military action from Jordan.

In a statement, Jordan’s air force reported targeting ‘terrorist organization hideouts’ in southern Syria linked to the church attackers. Syria contested this, claiming the strikes killed five people, including women, children, and an elderly man.

The situation escalated after Jordan detained three suspects involved in the church shooting. These individuals were named Ahmad Sami Hussein, Mish’al Zaidan Muhammad, and his brother Hazza’ Zaidan Muhammad. They were identified as the masterminds behind the attack.

The church attack resulted in nine deaths over the weekend, as two more victims succumbed to injuries. The incident happened at the Hamoud Greek Orthodox church in Jordan’s Karak district. During a funeral procession, gunmen opened fire on mourners gathered around the church.

Following the attacks, prominent Jordanian figures such as Queen Rania and Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah attended the victims’ funerals. King Abdullah II visited the injured individuals in the hospital. Although no organization claimed responsibility, authorities labeled the suspects as ‘takfiri,’ a term used to describe Sunni extremists like ISIS or al-Qaeda members.