Karak Church Attack Leaves Eight Dead as Security Forces Detain Three Gunmen
The suspects were found wounded in an abandoned house after a three-hour firefight on Monday.
By Kevin Iyer ·
Eight people died and forty were injured in a Friday shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, Jordan, before security forces detained three armed suspects on Monday.
The attack occurred in the village of Hamoud, located about 120 kilometers southwest of Amman. Three gunmen opened fire on a funeral gathering. The Ministry of Health confirmed the casualty count shortly after the incident. By Monday, twenty-seven of the injured patients remained hospitalized.
The Public Security Directorate reported that the suspects hid in an abandoned house in the nearby village of Al-Jadeeda. They refused to surrender and exchanged gunfire with security personnel. The clash lasted approximately three hours. All three men were arrested after sustaining injuries. The directorate stated that no members of the security force were hurt during the operation. A search of the site revealed firearms and live ammunition.
A government source told Al Jazeera that the suspects suffered serious injuries. One man is in critical condition. Petra News Agency reported that the directorate described the operation as a successful joint effort. Government Communication Minister Mohammad Momani praised the security forces on X. He confirmed that the men were detained after refusing to give themselves up.
The Public Security Directorate issued a statement calling the suspects' end their just fate. The agency did not name a specific group linked to the attack. It declared that terrorism has no place in Jordan. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said authorities are examining why young people embrace violence. He added that those found responsible would be held accountable.
King Abdullah II offered condolences to the victims' families. He ordered a review of national security procedures for responding to attacks. The King stated that the responsible parties would face the harshest penalties. Karak is home to a large portion of Jordan's Christian minority. This group numbers approximately 300,000 people in a country of 11.5 million.
The director of Prince Ali Military Hospital in Karak said one patient remained in critical condition following surgery. The hospital continues to treat the remaining wounded victims. The three detained suspects are in custody. Their medical condition is being monitored by doctors.
