Karak Church Shootings: Jordan Detains Three Armed Men
Security forces wounded and captured the suspects in a three-hour firefight at an abandoned home in Al-Jadeeda following the Friday attack that left eight dead.
By Aaron Mitchell ·
Jordanian authorities have secured the three gunmen responsible for the deadly attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Karak governorate. State media reported on Monday that security forces took the suspects into custody after a multi-day search.
The suspects were located hiding in an abandoned house in the village of Al-Jadeeda. The Public Security Directorate stated that the men refused to surrender and opened fire on officers. The confrontation lasted for approximately three hours. All three men were wounded in the exchange before they were detained.
A government source told Al Jazeera that the suspects sustained serious injuries. One of the men is in critical condition. Petra News Agency confirmed that no members of the security forces were hurt during the operation. Investigators found firearms and live ammunition at the scene.
The original attack occurred on Friday. Three armed men opened fire at a funeral service in the village of Hamoud. The village is located about 120 kilometers southwest of Amman. The Ministry of Health announced that eight people were killed and 40 were injured. By Monday, 27 of the wounded patients remained hospitalized. The director of Prince Ali Military Hospital in Karak said one patient was still in critical condition after undergoing surgery.
Government Communication Minister Mohammad Momani praised the operation in a post on X. He described it as a successful joint effort. The Public Security Directorate issued a statement saying that terrorism has no place among the people. The directorate added that the suspects had met their just fate. The statement did not identify a specific group linked to the attackers.
King Abdullah II offered condolences to the victims' families. He stated that those responsible would face the harshest penalties. The King ordered a review of national security procedures for responding to such incidents. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said authorities are examining why young people are embracing violence. He assured the public that anyone found to have participated in the attack would be held accountable.
The Karak region has a large population of Jordan's Christian minority. This group numbers about 300,000 people in a nation of 11.5 million.
Source: Al Jazeera
