Syria Reopens Jordan Border Amid Joint Probe into Deadly Airstrikes

Syria is set to reopen its border crossing with Jordan, as both nations commit to investigating Jordanian airstrikes targeting suspected ISIL (ISIS) sites that resulted in seven fatalities in southern Syria. The Nassib crossing, Jordan’s sole gateway to Syria, is scheduled to resume normal passenger and commercial operations on Wednesday morning, according to state news agency SANA. The crossing had been temporarily closed following the Jordanian airstrikes on Monday, which the Jordanian military stated were in response to a Friday shooting incident at a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan’s Karak, an attack for which ISIL later claimed responsibility. The strikes in Syria claimed the lives of at least seven individuals in Deraa and Suwayda, including five members of a single family, three of whom were children. Syria’s Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management confirmed its teams responded to incidents at four locations.

Following a phone call between the foreign ministers of both countries, it was announced that a security committee would be formed to examine the consequences of the strikes. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi stated that Monday's airstrikes were executed based on intelligence gathered on the ground, with the objective of neutralizing confirmed threats and imminent terrorist operations that posed a risk to Jordan's security. Safadi conveyed his profound regret over the civilian casualties during his conversation with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, emphasizing Jordan's commitment to respecting Syria's sovereignty and stability.

Jordan had previously asserted that the strikes were coordinated with the Syrian government, a claim that Damascus denied. The newly established security committee will not only investigate the attacks but also focus on developing field and intelligence coordination strategies to counter terrorist threats and safeguard innocent civilians. The church shooting in Jordan resulted in the deaths of at least nine people and left 34 others wounded. Jordanian security forces have apprehended two brothers and their brother-in-law in connection with the attack.