The Jordanian army announced on Monday the execution of an operation named (Jordanian Deterrence - Hamoud) targeting hideouts of armed groups in southern Syria, linked to the perpetrators of the attack on the Karak church that resulted in nine deaths.
In a statement, the army mentioned that the Royal Jordanian Air Force carried out the operation, and its fighters "destroyed a number of sites in southern Syria," adding that this led to the "destruction of a number of sites, and the death and injury of many members of these groups and the destruction of several of their vehicles."
The Jordanian Armed Forces confirmed in the statement that it "stands ready to confront anyone who dares to harm the security of citizens and emphasizes its determination to continue uprooting the roots of extremism and terrorism and that it is continuing in its sacred duty to protect the homeland and its citizens and safeguard its sanctities."
The Jordanian authorities announced earlier on Monday, during a press conference, the arrest of three suspects involved in the church attack.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah II praised the security apparatuses that arrested the assailants, affirming that "the terrorists will not escape punishment."
King Abdullah II wrote on his page on the "X" platform: "Here are the heroes who pursued them to their burrows. We said that the terrorists will not escape punishment, and no one who has ideas that differentiate between Jordanian and Jordanian will escape."
Key details of the operation
Targets: Sites described by the Jordanian Armed Forces as hideouts for terrorist organizations in southern Syria.
Announced results: Destruction of a number of sites and vehicles, and the killing and injury of several members of the targeted groups, without providing an exact toll.
Justification for the operation: Amman stated that the perpetrators of the Hamoud church attack are linked to the organizations targeted in Syria.
What do we know about the Karak attack?
The attack targeted a funeral inside an Orthodox church in Karak governorate on Friday, October 23. The Associated Press reported seven deaths and 40 injuries in its initial report, while later reports provided different figures. The Jordanian authorities later announced the arrest of three suspects.
Were the strikes carried out in coordination with Syria?
There are discrepancies in the initial reports: the official Jordanian news agency stated that the operation was conducted in coordination with the Syrian government, while Reuters reported that coordination was not clear at the time of its report. The reviewed reports did not provide sufficient independent details to confirm the identity of all targeted sites and the scale of the losses.