Jordan Detains Three Armed Men in Karak After Church Massacre
Police wounded and captured the suspects in an abandoned house three days after eight people died at a Greek Orthodox funeral.
By Henry Brooks ·
Jordanian authorities captured three armed men on Monday following a search that began after a deadly shooting at a church.
The suspects were found in an abandoned house in the village of Al-Jadeeda. They refused to surrender and opened fire on security forces. Officers returned fire and wounded all three men before taking them into custody. The confrontation lasted approximately three hours. A government source described the injuries as serious, with one suspect in critical condition. Petra News Agency reported that no security personnel were hurt during the exchange. Investigators recovered firearms and live ammunition at the scene.
The violence began on Friday when three gunmen opened fire at a funeral. The service was being held at a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hamoud. The location is about 120 kilometers southwest of Amman. The Ministry of Health reported that eight people were killed and 40 were injured. By Monday, 27 victims remained hospitalized. The director of Prince Ali Military Hospital stated that one patient was still in critical condition after surgery.
The Public Security Directorate issued a statement confirming the arrests. The directorate said the suspects had met their just fate. It noted that terrorism has no place in Jordan but did not name a specific group linked to the attack. Government Communication Minister Mohammad Momani posted on X early Monday. He described the operation as a successful joint effort and confirmed that all three suspects were wounded and detained.
King Abdullah II sent condolences to the families of the victims. He said those responsible would face the harshest penalties. The King ordered a review of national security procedures for responding to attacks. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said authorities are examining why young people embrace violence. He added that anyone found to have taken part in the attack would be held accountable. Karak is home to many of Jordan's approximately 300,000 Christians. The country has a total population of 11.5 million.
Source: Al Jazeera
