Jordan: Three Suspects Wounded in Karak Church Attack Hunt
Security forces detained three armed men in an abandoned house after a Friday shooting killed eight people at a Greek Orthodox funeral.
By Javier Sanders ·
Jordanian authorities detained three armed suspects on Monday following a search that began after a fatal shooting at a church in the Karak governorate. State media reported that the men were hiding in an abandoned house in the village of Al-Jadeeda when security forces located them.
According to a statement from the Public Security Directorate, the suspects resisted capture and opened fire on the officers. The forces returned fire, wounding all three men before taking them into custody. A government source told Al Jazeera that the engagement lasted approximately three hours. One suspect is in critical condition, while the other two suffered serious injuries.
The attack occurred on Friday when three gunmen opened fire during a funeral service at a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hamoud. The village lies approximately 120 kilometers southwest of Amman. The Ministry of Health reported that eight people were killed and 40 were injured in the shooting.
Petra News Agency stated that no security personnel were injured during the Monday operation. Officers found firearms and live ammunition at the scene where the suspects were held. The directorate said the suspects had met their just fate but did not name a specific group linked to the attackers.
Government Communication Minister Mohammad Momani described the operation as a successful joint effort in a post on X. He confirmed that the three men were wounded and detained after refusing to surrender. By Monday, 27 of the 40 injured from the Friday attack remained hospitalized. The director of Prince Ali Military Hospital in Karak said one patient remained in critical condition following surgery.
The Karak region is home to a large portion of Jordan's Christian minority, which numbers roughly 300,000 in a population of 11.5 million. King Abdullah II offered condolences to the victims' families and ordered a review of security procedures for responding to attacks. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said authorities are examining the factors that lead young people to violence and will hold all participants accountable.
