The Syrian government confirmed that the concerned authorities are following with great interest the developments on the ground in southern Syria following the raids carried out by the Jordanian Air Force on Monday, which led to civilian casualties, including children, noting that this military operation had not been coordinated with the Syrian side in advance.
The government said in a statement carried by SANA: “We affirm our support for the affected Syrian families and our full solidarity with them in this affliction. We express our sincere condolences to the families of the martyrs and our wishes for a speedy recovery for the wounded,” noting that the concerned authorities are following up on the conditions and needs of those affected and working to provide them with the necessary support.
The government explained in the statement that the concerned authorities have begun conducting careful investigations to find out the full circumstances of this targeting, in parallel with opening current and currently open channels of communication with the brothers in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to discuss the situation, and to emphasize the importance of joint field and security coordination for any steps related to the border areas, in a way that preserves the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic, and preserves the security and stability of the two brotherly countries.
In a related context, the spokesman for the Syrian Ministry of Interior, Nour al-Din al-Baba, said that the Ministry of Interior is continuing its work to determine the circumstances of the Jordanian bombing incident in the Daraa countryside through coordination with the competent authorities.
The ministry stated in a statement on Tuesday that while the ministry continues its efforts to combat terrorism and pursue drug traffickers, the protection of civilians remains a priority, and coordination between the two countries remains the best way to address border challenges without harming the lives of innocent people.
Daraa Health Director, Dr. Khaled Al-Omyan, announced to SANA that a number of civilian casualties, including children and an elderly man, occurred as a result of Jordanian air strikes that targeted a number of sites in the eastern countryside of Daraa. He also reported that two casualties had occurred in the town of Al-Muzayrib in the western countryside as a result of the bombing.
Today, Jordan affirmed its pride in the fraternal relations that link it with Syria, and its keenness to develop these relations in a way that serves the interests of both countries and ensures coordination in confronting all common challenges, including ISIS, which poses a common danger to the two countries.
The Jordanian Minister of Communications, Muhammad Al-Momani, confirmed that the coordination between Jordan and Syria in combating terrorism and arms and drug smuggling is institutional and ongoing, and has been for years, and stems from the firm conviction of consolidating the security of the two brotherly countries, and reflects their joint work to establish security and stability, according to what was reported by the official “Petra” agency.
The official spokesman stressed that the bombing operations carried out by the Jordanian Armed Forces yesterday targeted ISIS sites.
He stated that the operations were carried out based on field information to neutralize confirmed threats and terrorist operations against Jordan, noting that the initial results of these operations indicate, so far, significant losses among the ranks of ISIS, estimated at more than 20 members, and the destruction of a huge weapons depot for the organization.
Al-Momani said in a statement: “The preliminary results of these operations indicate, so far, significant losses among the ranks of ISIS, estimated at more than 20 members, and the destruction of a huge weapons depot for the organization,” according to what Agence France-Presse reported.
Jordan announced that the raids came in response to the attack on the church in Karak in southern Jordan, indicating that the three Jordanian perpetrators of the attack were linked to the targeted groups in Syria.
The spokesman expressed regret for the occurrence of civilian casualties, and that Jordan refrained from targeting sites where information indicates the presence of civilians, stressing that the competent Jordanian authorities are following up on this matter with their Syrian counterparts.
Momani stressed that Jordan always takes all precautions to avoid harming civilians. It gives the lives of innocent civilians outside its borders the same importance it gives to the lives of Jordanians, based on its belief that human life and dignity are an indivisible value, regardless of their nationality or whereabouts.
Al-Momani stated that work will be done with Syria to form a joint committee to follow up on the repercussions of the operation against ISIS, and to develop coordination in combating the terrorist organization, in a way that guarantees the security of the two countries and peoples, and the protection of civilians.
