Newsletters
The Jordanian army on Saturday deleted and asked media outlets to remove a statement saying border guards had stopped about 14 armed individuals attempting to enter northern Jordan from Syria.
Reuters had earlier reported, citing the Jordanian armed forces, that the group attempted to cross the border Friday under heavy fire and direct engagement.
The initial statement said the confrontation caused numerous casualties among the armed group, while the remaining members fled back into Syria.
The Jordanian army later deleted the statement and sent a message to media outlets asking them to remove the report concerning “an attempt by an armed group of approximately 14 individuals to infiltrate and cross the border from Syrian territory.”
No further details were provided in the information supplied.
The development comes after Jordan and Syria agreed late Tuesday to establish a joint security committee following deadly Jordanian airstrikes in southern Syria.
The agreement followed a phone call between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.
The committee is tasked with investigating Monday’s strikes and their aftermath while developing mechanisms for intelligence sharing and coordination on the ground.
Safadi expressed “deep regret and sorrow” over civilian deaths and offered condolences to the Syrian people. He said the strikes targeted ISIS sites and were based on intelligence concerning confirmed threats and imminent attacks against Jordan.
He also reaffirmed Jordan’s respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying the security and stability of both countries were connected.
The ministers stressed direct security coordination to counter shared threats, protect civilians and combat cross-border weapons and drug smuggling.
Seven people were killed and three injured in the Jordanian strikes, Syria’s Al-Ekhbariya TV reported, citing the Daraa province health directorate.
Syria said the operation was carried out without prior coordination with Damascus, and its Foreign Ministry later said it had conveyed its objections to Jordan.
The Jordanian army said Monday that it had struck sites belonging to groups it linked to an attack the previous Friday on mourners at a church in Hamoud village in Jordan’s southern Karak province.
Nine people were killed in that attack, according to Jordan’s Public Security Directorate.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
2 min read
1 min read
