Syria announced that passenger and commercial traffic would resume at the Nassib crossing with Jordan after a brief closure following Jordanian airstrikes. The two countries agreed on a joint security committee to investigate the strikes and share intelligence. Jordan expressed regret over civilian deaths, while Damascus disputed its claim of prior coordination.
Syria announced that the Nassib crossing with Jordan would reopen to passengers and commercial vehicles on Wednesday morning. The crossing had closed briefly after Jordanian airstrikes in southern Syria. The reopening was accompanied by an agreement between the two countries’ foreign ministers to establish a joint security committee examining the details and consequences of the strikes.[1], [2]
The Jordanian military said Monday’s raids targeted Islamic State hideouts around Deraa and Suwayda in response to a church shooting in Jordan’s Karak. At least seven people were reported killed in the strikes inside Syria, including five members of one family, three of them children. Syria’s emergency and disaster management ministry said its teams responded at four sites. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi expressed deep regret over the civilian deaths.[1]
Safadi spoke by telephone with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. The committee will investigate the aftermath and develop field and intelligence coordination against terrorist threats while protecting civilians. Jordan maintained that the raids had been coordinated with the Syrian government; Damascus denied that account. Safadi said the attacks were based on field intelligence and aimed at preventing imminent threats to Jordan, and stressed respect for Syria’s sovereignty and stability.[1]
