Jordanian fighter jets have carried out airstrikes against suspected terrorist hideouts in southern Syria, targeting armed groups authorities say are connected to the deadly attack on a Christian church in Karak last week. The Royal Jordanian Air Force identified the operation as “Jordanian Deterrence – Hamoud,” describing the strikes as part of its response to the October 23 attack.

Jordanian authorities said the operation targeted positions belonging to terrorist organizations operating in southern Syria. The military action follows an investigation into the assault on Saint George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Hamoud, a village in Jordan’s southern Karak Governorate, where gunmen opened fire during a funeral service. Nine people were killed and more than two dozen others wounded, according to the latest figures reported by Jordanian authorities.

The October 23 attack prompted a nationwide security response and an intensive search for the perpetrators. Jordanian security forces announced Monday that three suspects had been arrested following an armed confrontation at an abandoned house in Karak. All three suspects were wounded during the operation, while authorities reported no injuries among the security personnel involved.

Jordanian officials identified the suspects as extremists and said investigations were continuing into their activities and potential connections. The authorities have not publicly established that the attackers were acting under the direction of a specific international terrorist organization. The subsequent airstrikes indicate that Jordanian authorities believe the investigation has uncovered links to militant networks operating across the Syrian border.

The military operation represents a significant escalation in Jordan’s response to the church attack, extending its security operations beyond its territory. Jordan shares a lengthy border with southern Syria, where cross-border smuggling, armed groups and security threats have repeatedly prompted Jordanian military action. The latest strikes underscore Amman’s willingness to use airpower against threats it identifies as originating outside its borders.

Details concerning the precise locations targeted, the number of aircraft involved and the results of the strikes remain limited. No independently verified casualty figures or battle damage assessments have been released. Syrian authorities have not publicly confirmed whether the operation was coordinated with Damascus.

Jordanian officials have pledged to continue pursuing individuals and networks connected to the Karak attack. Further information about the targeted organizations and their alleged involvement is expected as authorities continue their investigation.