Jordan launches air strikes in Syria in response to a fatal church shooting

At least nine people were killed and dozens more wounded in the shootings.The Jordanian military said the strikes on Syria were launched “in coordination with the Syrian government”.It said the raids “resulted in the killing and wounding of many members of these terrorist groups and the destruction of a number of their vehicles”.In a statement, the Syrian government said “the military operation was conducted without prior coordination or notification” and….

Three other family members, including a child, were wounded.A second strike hit Al Shayyah, also in Deraa, killing an 80-year-old man.

A third hit a residential building in Muzayrib, in the Ain al-Basal area of Deraa, causing no casualties.A fourth struck a residential building in the town of Shahba in Suweyda province, killing a 60-year-old man.After the strikes, Syria’s border authority closed the Nassib crossing, suspending traffic in both directions.

Nassib is the only crossing for passengers and commercial goods between Jordan and Syria.Earlier on Monday, Jordanian security forces arrested two brothers and their brother-in-law on suspicion of involvement in the church attack.

The arrested took place in the village of Al-Jadeeda, after a shootout with authorities.A Jordanian government source told Al Jazeera that the suspects sustained serious injuries during the confrontation, which lasted for about three hours.The arrests and air strikes in Syria come after Jordan’s King Abdullah II pledged a stern response to the church attack.

During the attack, three gunmen opened fire on mourners at a funeral in a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, about 56 miles south of the capital, Amman.The king said those responsible would face the “harshest penalties” and ordered a review of the country’s security procedures.Karak is home to a minority Christian population, which makes up about 300,000 of Jordan’s 11.5 million people.

Syria denies prior coordination with Jordan after deadly air strikes hit two provinces, killing at least seven people.