Jordan.

Jordan carries out retaliatory strikes in Syria after deadly church attack.

Patriarch Theophilos III has met with some of the injured in hospital. (Photo: Getty/iStock)

Jordan has carried out airstrikes in southern Syria in response to a church attack that killed nine people, saying its forces targeted Islamic State strongholds.

Gunmen opened fire during a funeral at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George in the village of Hammoud, in Jordan’s Karak governorate, on Friday. Nine people were killed and at least 34 were injured.

Jordanian security forces arrested three suspects on Monday following an exchange of gunfire. Officials said the men - two brothers and their brother-in-law - were found in an abandoned house and were wounded before being detained.

Jordanian authorities allege that the suspects have links to militant groups operating across the border. Government spokesman Mohammed al-Momani said more than 20 Islamic State militants were killed in Monday’s operation.

Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said investigations were continuing.

Syria said seven people, including three children and a woman, died in the airstrikes. Al-Momani expressed regret over the civilian casualties.

The cross-border operation has prompted disagreement between Amman and Damascus. Jordan said it had coordinated the strikes with Syria, while the Syrian government denied receiving advance notification and announced an investigation.

Syria’s foreign ministry condemned the operation as a breach of national sovereignty. Nevertheless, Damascus said it would work with Jordan on a joint security committee intended to improve border security and help prevent further incidents.

Patriarch Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem, has visited survivors of the attack in hospital. He was accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Isychios and a number of priests in his visit to Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein Military Hospital and the Italian Hospital, where the injured are being treated.  CT.