Jordan and Syria Offer Conflicting Accounts of Airstrikes in Southern Syria

Jordan and Syria have issued differing accounts of the toll from airstrikes in southern Syria, with a Jordanian minister reporting heavy losses among members of an organization and the Syrian government announcing civilian deaths.

Jordan’s government communications minister said the strikes caused “significant losses in the ranks of the organization, estimated at more than 20 members.” The statement did not identify the organization or clarify whether that figure referred to deaths, injuries or both.

The minister also said a large weapons warehouse had been destroyed, presenting the strikes as a blow to the organization’s personnel and arms supplies.

The Syrian government, meanwhile, said “civilian victims” had been killed in the raids. The account provided no civilian death toll.

The two statements leave the full impact of the strikes unclear. The information available does not independently establish the casualties or resolve the differing accounts of who was hit.