Jordanian Forces Arrest 3 Suspects in Deadly Church Attack
Three armed men were apprehended after a shootout in Karak, following an attack that killed nine Christians and injured 34.
Jordanian security forces have arrested three armed men suspected of a shooting attack at a church that killed nine Christians and injured 34 other people, officials stated. The Public Security Directorate (PSD) reported that the unnamed individuals were located before dawn inside an abandoned house in the Karak governorate, south of the capital, Amman. The suspects opened fire on security forces, who returned fire and wounded all three, according to the PSD. No security personnel were injured in the exchange.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack on St George's Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Hmoud, located within the Karak governorate. The attack occurred on Friday during a funeral.
King Abdullah II commended the security forces for pursuing the suspects, stating on X (formerly Twitter), "We vowed the terrorists would not escape punishment, and no proponent of dark ideologies that divide Jordanians will be tolerated." He added, "We pray that the martyrs' souls rest in peace and wish the injured a speedy recovery. May God protect and watch over Jordan and its people."
Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya indicated that authorities would hold accountable anyone involved in the attack and are investigating factors contributing to youth extremism. Karak is home to a significant Christian community in the Muslim-majority kingdom.
Verified CCTV footage from Friday showed three men armed with guns approaching and firing on St George's church. A second video depicted casualties on the ground amidst chaotic scenes. One witness described the attack as lasting approximately 15 minutes, with gunmen fleeing in a pick-up truck while continuing to fire.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, visited survivors and condemned the attack as a "vile, cowardly, and bloody act." He also led the funeral services for eight of the victims: Dr. Maher Zureiqat, Ihab al-Halsa, Dr. Fadi al-Halsa, Dr. Khaled al-Halsa, Dr. Asim al-Burqan, Alaa al-Masarwa, Marwan Khaitan, and Mazen al-Qassous. Thousands attended the funeral. The ninth victim, Dr. Mohammed al-Qassous, was buried near Amman on Monday.