Rocket fired from Syria kills one in Jordan

A rocket fired from Syria hit a city in northern Jordan Thursday, killing one person and wounding four, a government source said, without indicating who may have been responsible.

"A rocket fired from Syrian territory struck the city of al-Ramtha, near the Syrian border, killing a young man of 20 and wounding four others," the source said.

Al-Ramtha lies about 10 kilometres (six miles) southwest of the Syrian city of Daraa, where fierce fighting was under way Thursday after rebels attacked government-held neighbourhoods.

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Militants pose a potential threat to the security of Jordan, a staunch Western ally, and previously have attacked border points.

Earlier this month, Jordan's military unveiled a new phase of a border surveillance system that US officials say provides an effective defence against infiltration attempts, including by IS militants.

Jordan plays a high-profile role in the US-led military coalition against IS, who control large parts of neighbouring Syria and Iraq.