Jordan says it killed more than 20 Islamic State members in Syria
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Businessday
Jordan says its airstrikes in southern Syria killed more than 20 Islamic State members in response to a deadly attack on a church in Jordan. Syrian authorities reported seven deaths, including three children and a woman, and disputed whether the strikes had been coordinated in advance, according to Businessday.
Jordan says it killed more than 20 members of Islamic State during airstrikes carried out on Monday night in southern Syria. The Jordanian government gave the toll on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
Syrian authorities reported seven deaths, including three children and a woman. Jordanian Communication Minister Mohammed al-Momani expressed regret over the civilian losses. Amman said it launched the strikes after linking suspects in a deadly attack on a church in Jordan to armed groups operating in Syria.
The church attack killed nine people. Jordanian security forces arrested two brothers and their brother-in-law after a shooting linked to the case. No group claimed responsibility for the assault, Reuters reports.
Syria condemned the strikes as a violation of its sovereignty. The two countries disagree over prior coordination: the Jordanian army says it acted in coordination with Damascus, while the Syrian government says it was not consulted and has announced an investigation. The two governments nevertheless plan to create a joint security committee to strengthen protection of their border.
The strikes follow the attack on a church in Jordan, which killed nine people. Jordan had said it carried out strikes in Syria after the attack.
