Jordan says it killed more than 20 militants in Syria
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sowetan
Jordan says it killed more than 20 Islamic State members in strikes in southern Syria, in retaliation for a church attack that killed nine people in Jordan. Damascus says the bombing killed seven people, including three children, according to Sowetan.
Jordan says it killed more than 20 Islamic State fighters in air strikes carried out on Monday night in southern Syria. The kingdom announced the toll on Tuesday, according to Reuters, describing the strikes as retaliation for a deadly attack on a church in Jordan, which authorities attributed to militants operating from Syria.
The Syrian government reported seven people killed in the strikes, including three children and a woman. Jordanian Communications Minister Mohammed al-Momani expressed regret over the civilian casualties. Damascus condemned the strikes as a violation of its sovereignty and announced an investigation, saying they had not been coordinated in advance, contrary to statements by the Jordanian military.
The church attack killed nine people. Jordanian authorities announced the arrest of two brothers and their brother-in-law after a shooting linked to the case. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. Syria has nevertheless said it would coordinate its efforts with Amman and establish a joint security committee to strengthen border security.
Jordan announced the strikes on 26 October following the attack on the church. The toll it announced the next day adds to the initial reports on Jordanian strikes in Syria.
