Jordanian missile strike kills Syrian family members in Daraa village
A Jordanian missile hit a home in Al-Taf, Daraa, killing a mother, an older brother, three grandchildren and injuring others, sparking grief and diplomatic tension.
Jordan carried out missile strikes on southern Syria after a jihadist assault on a Greek Orthodox church killed nine people. One missile struck the Salim family home in the remote Al-Taf village of Daraa province, killing the mother, an older brother and his three children, and wounding two younger children. Relatives described the victims as innocent and questioned the justification for bombing residential houses.
Jordan asserted it hit an Islamic State weapons depot and expressed regret over civilian losses, claiming to have avoided populated areas. Syria denounced the raid as uncoordinated, closed its primary border crossing with Jordan, and the incident has heightened the worst bilateral crisis since the new Syrian authorities took power in December 2024.
Why it matters
The attack highlights the fragile security situation on the Jordan-Syria border and the civilian toll of cross-border military actions.
How this story developed
- Oct 23 Six dead and dozens wounded in gun attack on Karak funeral church
- Oct 23 The reported death toll has risen to seven and the number of injured has been updated to 34.
- Oct 24 Security forces have stepped up patrols at malls, diplomatic missions and other public sites across Jordan.
- Oct 24 A survivor said an attacker pointed a handgun at him during the shooting.
- Oct 26 Thousands gathered to bury the victims in a mass funeral.
- Oct 26 Three suspects were arrested after a shootout in an abandoned house in Karak.
- Oct 26 Jordan's air force hit targets in southern Syria, saying the sites were used by militants tied to the recent church shooting.
- Oct 27 Jordan launched air strikes in southern Syria as a direct response to the church attack.
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