Syria’s Foreign Ministry condemned Jordanian airstrikes that targeted sites in Daraa governorate (southern Syria) on Monday evening, October 26, causing civilian casualties. It described the strikes as a “violation of Syrian sovereignty.”

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, the ministry said Monday’s strikes involved an incursion into Syrian airspace without prior coordination. It expressed its rejection and condemnation of what it described as a breach of the principles of good neighborly relations and Syrian national sovereignty.

Jordanian aircraft carried out several airstrikes on areas in the Daraa countryside on Monday. Jordan said it had targeted “terrorist groups” linked to the attack on a church in Karak, while the strikes caused civilian casualties.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry said the military action was “utterly unacceptable” and could not be accepted under any pretext, adding that it was inconsistent with the framework for joint work and coordination between the two countries.

The ministry announced that it was working directly with Jordan to urgently establish a joint field and security committee. The committee would aim to end violations on the ground and prevent their recurrence, secure and protect the shared border, and ensure security and operational coordination between the two sides.

The ministry said it was certain that some parties were seeking to heighten tensions between the two countries, reiterating Damascus’s belief that “suspicious” parties were working to sow discord and provoke crises between them.

It renewed its condemnation of the attack on St. George’s Church several days earlier, describing it as an assault on religious and humanitarian values and an attempt to undermine Jordan’s social fabric.

The statement emphasized the depth of the historic, fraternal ties between Syria and Jordan, saying relations had reached their strongest level of mutual understanding and shared commitment to the interests of both peoples.

The ministry concluded its statement by stressing the commitment of the Syrian and Jordanian leaderships to preserving bilateral relations and offering condolences to the victims’ families.

Seven civilians, including women and children, were killed and three others wounded in Jordanian airstrikes targeting several sites in the Daraa countryside, according to the latest toll published by the Syrian Civil Defense early on Tuesday.

 Jordan: We Targeted the Islamic State

Jordan’s Minister of Government Communication and government spokesperson, Mohammad al-Momani, said the strikes on Syrian territory targeted Islamic State positions after Jordan’s patience had run out over the activities of these “terrorist organizations” and their attacks on national security.

Al-Momani added that coordination between Damascus and Amman in combating terrorism and the smuggling of weapons and drugs was institutionalized and had continued for years. He said it stemmed from a firm commitment to strengthening the security of the two countries and reflected their joint efforts to establish security and stability.

He explained that the operations were carried out based on intelligence gathered on the ground to neutralize confirmed threats and terrorist operations against Jordan. He said preliminary results indicated heavy losses within the group, estimated at more than 20 members, and the destruction of a large weapons depot belonging to it.

The government spokesperson expressed regret over the civilian casualties, saying Jordan had refrained from striking sites where intelligence indicated civilians were present. He added that the relevant Jordanian authorities were following up on the matter with their Syrian counterparts.

Syrian Reactions

Syrian figures and organizations continued to condemn the Jordanian strikes on southern Syria and warn of their consequences, describing the operation as an unacceptable violation of Syrian sovereignty.

Hassan Soufan, a member of Syria’s People’s Assembly, said the Jordanian strikes came at a highly sensitive time, on the eve of Israeli elections. He warned that uncontrolled reactions could open the door to an escalation benefiting the Israeli occupation, at a time when wisdom and careful consideration of the consequences were most needed.

“Daraa is not a punching bag for anyone seeking to respond to the attack on the church in Karak. The lives of our children and women are precious to us, just as the lives of the innocent people killed in the church are precious. Civilians must not pay the price for crimes they did not commit,” Soufan added.

He expressed confidence that the Syrian government would continue taking the necessary measures to protect the country’s sovereignty and victims’ rights and prevent further attacks. He added, “Maintaining unity and security, denying pretexts to those seeking to harm our country, and supporting the Syrian state in addressing this attack are our most important priorities at this sensitive stage.”

Violation of Syrian Sovereignty

The Syrian Bar Association described the Jordanian strikes on southern Syria as a violation of Syrian sovereignty, expressing its condemnation, concern, and denunciation of the operation.

In a statement issued early on Tuesday, October 27, the association called on the Syrian government to summon the Jordanian ambassador and hand him a formal protest note. It also urged the government to approach the UN Security Council to have the Jordanian violation formally recorded and request an independent international investigation.

The association said firm action against cross-border crime should proceed through security coordination and judicial and official mechanisms between the two countries, rather than unilateral airstrikes.

Other figures also condemned the operation, including People’s Assembly member Huda al-Atassi and Mohamad Rateb al-Nabulsi, a member of Syria’s Supreme Fatwa Council.

Interior Ministry Examines the Circumstances.

Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba said the ministry was continuing its work to establish the circumstances of the incident through coordination with the relevant authorities, while maintaining its efforts to combat terrorism, pursue drug traffickers, and fight cross-border crime.

In a statement responding to the Jordanian operation, he added that protecting civilians “remains a priority, and coordination between the two countries remains the best way to address border challenges without endangering innocent lives.”