Syria announced that it will close its main border crossing with Jordan, the Nassib-Jaber crossing, from Tuesday after Amman conducted strikes on Syrian territory.
The Syrian General Authority for Border Crossings and Customs said passenger and commercial traffic in both directions had been suspended because of developments in Daraa province.
Jordan carried out airstrikes in Syria on Monday night, targeting armed groups, according to a statement from the Jordanian air force. The strikes were conducted in retaliation for Friday’s attack on a Greek Orthodox church in the southern Jordanian city of Karak, which killed nine people.
The statement said the operation killed and wounded numerous members of the terrorist groups and destroyed several of their vehicles, but did not identify the groups or disclose the exact locations of the strikes.
The operation triggered outrage in Syria, where officials said a Jordanian strike killed eight civilians, including women and children, and wounded several others.
Damascus condemned the action, saying the strikes were conducted without prior coordination with Syrian authorities.
The Nassib crossing serves as a key trade and transport link between Syria and Jordan. Its closure is expected to disrupt cross-border transportation, commercial activity and travel between the neighboring countries.
