An attack on a Greek Orthodox Church in Karak, Jordan, killed nine people on 23 October 2026. Official reports indicate that more than two dozen people were wounded during the incident. The violence prompted the Jordanian Air Force to launch strikes against targets in Syria. Military aircraft conducted operations near al-Masmiyah and Daraa in response to the security breach. Obaidallah Abd Rabbo Al-Maayta confirmed the military action, stating that the strikes targeted groups linked to the assault. The aerial campaign remains focused on sites identified by intelligence services as associated with the perpetrators. Local authorities continue to manage the aftermath of the tragedy in Karak, while regional security forces monitor the border areas following the retaliatory strikes within Syrian territory.
Suspects Arrested in Karak
Jordanian authorities arrested three men on 26 October 2026 in connection with the church attack in Karak. The three suspects were wounded during a shootout with security forces while officers attempted to apprehend them. Maj. Gen. Obaidallah Abd Rabbo Al-Maayta addressed the arrests following the confrontation. "They only represent themselves," he stated regarding the individuals taken into custody. The suspects remain under medical supervision while investigations into their involvement continue. The apprehension of these individuals marks a significant development in the ongoing criminal investigation led by local law enforcement. Authorities have processed the scene of the shootout to recover evidence related to the initial church assault.
Military Response in Syria
Jordanian air force personnel conducted multiple aerial strikes against identified militant hideouts located within Syrian territory. These operations targeted specific sites linked to the security breach that occurred in Jordan on 23 October 2026. Military planners selected these positions based on intelligence data identifying them as infrastructure used by groups connected to the attack in Karak.
The military objective focused on neutralizing infrastructure supporting hostile activities. By targeting these specific militant hideouts, the Jordanian Air Force aimed to degrade the operational capacity of groups implicated in the violence. Aircraft focused the aerial campaign on areas situated directly south of the village of al-Masmiyah. This rural location lies within the Daraa province of Syria. Jordanian officials confirmed that the strikes served as a direct response to the violence at the Greek Orthodox Church.
Security forces in the border regions maintained heightened surveillance throughout the duration of the mission to ensure the containment of threats originating from these Syrian coordinates. Intelligence services continue to monitor the impact of the strikes on local militant networks operating in the vicinity of Daraa. The coordination between the air force and ground-based intelligence units remains a primary component of the current security strategy. As the situation evolves, the Jordanian government maintains a focus on the identification of any additional infrastructure linked to the events of 23 October 2026. The deployment of assets remains active to ensure that no further security breaches occur along the border.
