Syria-Jordan Border Reopens Following Deadly Airstrikes Investigation

OPA WIRE, Oct 28 (OPA) — The Nassib border crossing, the primary transit point between the two nations, will resume standard passenger and commercial operations Wednesday morning. The reopening follows a brief suspension triggered by Jordanian military strikes on Monday, which targeted suspected Islamic State hideouts in the Deraa and Suwayda provinces. Syrian state news agency SANA confirmed the resumption of traffic as diplomatic efforts to manage the fallout continue.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his Syrian counterpart, Asaad al-Shaibani, agreed to form a security committee to assess the aftermath of the operation. The strikes, which killed seven people—including five members of a single family and three children—were launched in retaliation for a Friday shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, Jordan. ISIL claimed responsibility for the church attack, which left nine people dead and 34 wounded.

Safadi expressed regret over the civilian casualties during a phone call with al-Shaibani, maintaining that the military action was based on intelligence regarding imminent threats to Jordanian security. While Jordan initially claimed the strikes were coordinated with Damascus, Syrian officials denied prior knowledge of the operation. Jordanian security forces have since arrested three suspects, including two brothers, in connection with the church shooting.

The newly formed security committee is tasked with developing intelligence-sharing protocols to counter regional terrorist threats while prioritizing the protection of civilians. The committee will examine the specific impact of the Monday strikes as both nations attempt to stabilize border security. The incident remains a point of diplomatic tension, as both governments seek to balance counter-terrorism objectives with the maintenance of regional sovereignty.