Jordan and Syria Establish Joint Security Committee Following Deadly Airstrikes
Jordan and Syria form a joint security committee to investigate recent airstrikes against Islamic State targets that resulted in civilian casualties.
POLICY WIRE — Amman, Jordan — Jordan and Syria have moved to stabilize their diplomatic relations by establishing a joint security committee. This decision follows a series of retaliatory Jordanian airstrikes against Islamic State positions in southern Syria, which triggered the most significant bilateral crisis since the ousting of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
The diplomatic thaw began on Wednesday as the Nassib-Jaber border crossing reopened to passenger and commercial traffic. Senior Syrian customs official Mazen Alloush confirmed the resumption of movement, signaling a return to normalcy after the crossing was shuttered in the wake of the military operation.
The military action was prompted by a deadly attack last week at a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan’s Karak governorate, where gunmen killed nine people and wounded 25. In response, Amman launched raids targeting what it identified as Daesh sites, claiming the destruction of a major weapons depot and the deaths of over 20 militants. Government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani stated that preliminary results indicated significant losses for the extremist group.
However, the operation drew sharp condemnation from Damascus, which labeled the strikes an unacceptable violation of Syrian sovereignty. Syria’s civil defence agency reported that the raids killed seven civilians, including three children and a woman, in the village of Al-Taf in Daraa province. Local resident Nassouh al-Salim described the loss of his mother, brother, and three nieces and nephews during the bombardment.
Seeking to de-escalate, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi spoke with his Syrian counterpart to express regret for the civilian deaths while reaffirming respect for Syria’s security. The newly formed joint committee is tasked with investigating the circumstances of the strikes and assessing their impact, according to a joint statement released by both nations.
Meanwhile, Jordanian authorities have arrested three suspects in connection with the Karak church shooting. King Abdullah II vowed that those responsible for the violence would face justice, emphasizing that the nation would not tolerate ideologies intended to divide its citizens. The committee is expected to meet in the coming days to coordinate further efforts against the remnants of the Islamic State, which remains active in parts of the region despite its territorial defeat in 2019.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
