Jordan says 'terrorists' killed in Syria in retaliatory strike over church attack

Jordan has struck what its military says were "terrorist organisations" in Syria in retaliation for an attack on a Christian funeral last week that killed nine people.

Syrian health officials told state media five people, including women, children and an elderly man, were killed in the strike on a village in the southern Daraa province. Jordan said its fighter jets had killed and wounded "several terrorists", without giving further details.

Jordan said it had co-ordinated with the Syrian government. Syria said it had not been notified of Monday's attack.

It comes after a nine people were killed and 34 injured in a shooting at a funeral in a Greek Orthodox church in Karak on Friday.

In response to the strike, Syria said it had closed a border crossing with Jordan.

"The decision includes the complete suspension of passenger and commercial traffic in both directions, to ensure the safety of travellers and workers at the crossing," Syrian authorities said in a statement carried by state media.

It added that it had "opened direct channels of communication" with Jordanian officials and had launched "comprehensive investigations to establish the full circumstances of the targeting".

Nassib is the only passenger and commercial border crossing between Jordan and Syria.

Kaynak: BBC News World RSS (Açık Basın / Haber Servisi)