Jordan strikes alleged Islamic State targets in Syria after church attack

In late October 2026, Jordan's air force carried out strikes on what it said were Islamic State positions in southern Syria. The raids followed an attack on St. George's Greek Orthodox Church in Karak governorate, in southern Jordan, where gunmen opened fire during a funeral. Nine people were killed and dozens more were wounded.

Jordanian officials said the strikes killed more than 20 Islamic State militants. Jordan's security forces also arrested three men in the country who authorities said were linked to the church attack. No group had claimed responsibility at the time.

The operation drew a dispute with Damascus. Jordan's military said it acted in coordination with Syria, but the Syrian government said there had been no coordination and opened an investigation. Syrian civil defence said seven civilians, including children, died in southern Syria, and Jordan expressed regret over civilian casualties. Syria also closed the Nasib border crossing with Jordan.

The episode raised concern about security along the Jordan–Syria border and across the region, which is the backdrop to later security-related decisions in Jordan.