ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syria and Jordan have agreed to establish a joint security committee to investigate deadly Jordanian airstrikes in southern Daraa province, seeking to contain tensions after seven civilians were killed in attacks Amman said targeted Islamic State (ISIS) positions.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi agreed to form the committee during a telephone call on Wednesday, according to a joint statement issued by the two countries' foreign ministries early Wednesday.
"This committee will review all the details and facts surrounding the recent operations, follow up on their consequences, and develop mechanisms for field and intelligence coordination to counter terrorist threats," read the joint statement.
The agreement follows Damascus' condemnation of Monday's strikes in Daraa province, which killed seven civilians, including three children, and wounded three others, according to Syrian authorities.
In a statement on Tuesday, Syria's Foreign Ministry described the attacks as a "rejected and condemned unilateral action that cannot be accepted under any pretext," arguing that they violated Syrian airspace without prior coordination.
Jordan, however, maintained that its military targeted ISIS positions based on intelligence indicating imminent threats to its national security. Jordanian government spokesperson Mohammad al-Momani said preliminary assessments suggested that more than 20 ISIS militants had been killed and a major weapons depot destroyed.
During the call with his Syrian counterpart, Safadi expressed "deep regret and sorrow" over the civilian casualties in the strikes, which he said targeted an organization that "poses a common threat to both nations."
He also reaffirmed Jordan's respect for Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, emphasizing that the security and stability of Syria is "an integral part" of the Kingdom's own security.
The ministers stressed the importance of confronting shared threats, including terrorism and cross-border trafficking in drugs and weapons, through sustainable institutional cooperation.
The latest developments have strained relations between the neighboring countries, which have strengthened security coordination since the December 2024 ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Syria also closed the Nasib border crossing with Jordan to passenger and commercial traffic on Tuesday, citing safety concerns following the airstrikes.
The attacks came after a deadly assault on a Greek Orthodox church during a funeral in Jordan's Karak governorate on Friday, which killed nine people and wounded 34. Amman linked the incident to militant groups operating in southern Syria but has not publicly presented evidence establishing those connections.
