Jordan says strikes in Syria killed over 20 ISIS members, destroyed major weapons depot

By Lina Altawell

ISTANBUL (AA) – Jordan said Tuesday that strikes carried out by its army in Syria killed more than 20 members of the ISIS (Daesh) terrorist group and destroyed a major weapons depot.

Government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said the strikes were conducted after Jordan had “run out of patience” with the movements of terrorist groups and threats to its national security.

“The operation was based on field intelligence aimed at neutralizing confirmed threats and planned terrorist attacks against Jordan,” he said.

“Initial results of this operation indicate significant losses among ISIS, estimated at more than 20 members, as well as the destruction of a major weapons depot belonging to the group,” Momani said.

He regretted civilian casualties, saying Jordan refrained from striking locations where intelligence indicated civilians were present.

“Jordan takes precautions to avoid harming civilians and attaches the same importance to the lives of innocent civilians outside its borders as it does to the lives of Jordanians,” Momani said.

The spokesman said Jordanian authorities are following up on the matter with their Syrian counterparts.

“Jordan and Syria would establish a joint committee to follow up on the consequences of the operation and further develop coordination in combating ISIS while protecting civilians,” he added.

Momani stressed that Jordan values its relations with Syria and is committed to developing cooperation between the two countries in confronting common challenges.

“Coordination between Amman and Damascus in combating terrorism as well as weapons and drug smuggling has been institutional and continuous for years,” he said.

“Jordan’s security and Syria’s security are one,” he said, adding that combating terrorism remains a shared objective for both countries.

Momani linked the threat to a recent church attack that killed nine people in the village of Hamoud in Jordan’s Karak governorate, saying both countries would continue strengthening security cooperation.

He also said Jordan supports Syria’s security, unity and internal stability and coordinates with international parties to safeguard Syrian territory and stability, particularly in southern Syria.

“No one can question Jordan’s commitment toward Syria,” Momani said, citing his country’s hosting of Syrians and continued support for them.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry said early Tuesday that it conveyed its objections to Jordan over the strikes, which it said were carried out without prior coordination. Syrian authorities said that seven people were killed in the Jordanian strikes.