Jordan announced that its air forces carried out strikes on locations in southern Syria which it considers to be militant hideouts. The action followed Jordanian authorities determining that the attackers responsible for last week's deadly church attack were linked to terrorist groups operating in the area.
Syrian authorities have not yet commented on the strikes, and it is unknown whether they were carried out in coordination with Damascus. Details regarding the targets or the results of the strikes have not been released.
The attack that triggered this operation took place last Friday in a Christian church in the Jordanian province of Karak. At least seven people were killed and 10 injured when attackers opened fire during a funeral. According to available information, two attackers exited a vehicle and opened fire inside the Hamud church in Karak.
Such attacks are extremely rare in Jordan, which is considered a relatively stable country. However, Jordan has faced increasing Iranian strikes this year since the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran in February.
Christians make up a minority in Jordan, a country that hosts several biblical sites attracting Christian pilgrims from around the world. The attack on a church during a funeral further shocked the public in a country where such incidents are virtually unheard of.
