Jordan strikes militant targets in Syria following church attack

On October 23, 2026, gunmen attacked a funeral service at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in the village of Hamoud, Karak Governorate, Jordan. The assault resulted in nine deaths and injured at least 34 others. Survivors described a chaotic scene, with witnesses hearing gunfire that lasted for several minutes. No organization initially claimed responsibility, and the attackers fled the scene, prompting a massive security search operation.

Following the attack, Jordanian security forces conducted an operation on October 26, 2026, arresting three suspects hiding in an abandoned house in Karak. The suspects reportedly refused to surrender and were wounded during a shootout with security units. Following these arrests, the Jordanian military launched airstrikes in southern Syria, claiming to target militant hideouts linked to the attack. Jordanian officials later stated that over 20 Islamic State militants were killed in these strikes.

Conflicting reports regarding the aerial operation exist: while Jordanian officials claimed coordination with Damascus, the Syrian government denied prior notification and reported that the strikes killed several civilians, including children. Syrian authorities subsequently closed the Nassib border crossing with Jordan, citing safety concerns and the need for a full investigation into the incidents.