Three Suspects Arrested After Eight Killed in Jordan Church Attack

Security forces in Jordan arrested three armed men on Monday after they killed eight people and injured 40 others during a shooting at a Greek Orthodox church. The suspects were located in the village of Al-Jadeeda in the Karak governorate, where they had been hiding in an abandoned house for several days.

The Public Security Directorate reported that the men refused to surrender and opened fire on security forces. The confrontation lasted approximately three hours. Forces returned fire, wounding all three suspects before taking them into custody. A government source stated that one suspect is in critical condition due to the injuries sustained during the exchange. No security personnel were reported as casualties.

A search of the abandoned property yielded firearms and live ammunition. The directorate noted that the suspects met their just fate but did not specify any affiliated groups. Government Communication Minister Mohammad Momani commended the security forces for the successful joint operation in a statement posted on X.

The initial attack occurred on Friday when three gunmen opened fire at a funeral in the village of Hamoud, located about 120 kilometers southwest of Amman. The Ministry of Health confirmed eight deaths and 40 injuries. As of Monday, 27 injured individuals remained hospitalized. The director of Prince Ali Military Hospital in Karak said one patient was in critical condition following surgery.

Karak is home to a significant portion of Jordan's Christian minority, which numbers approximately 300,000 out of a total population of 11.5 million. King Abdullah II offered condolences to the victims' families and stated that those responsible would face the harshest penalties. He ordered a review of national security procedures for responding to such attacks.

Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya added that authorities are reviewing the circumstances that lead young people to embrace violence. He stated that anyone found to have participated in the attack would be held accountable.