President Barzani Condemns Deadly Church Attack in Jordan
President Masoud Barzani condemned the deadly church attack in Jordan's Karak Governorate and sent condolences to King Abdullah II and the victims' families.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - President Masoud Barzani has strongly condemned the deadly attack on a church in Jordan's Karak Governorate, sending a message of sympathy to King Abdullah II and offering condolences to the Jordanian people and the families of those killed.
Barzani Headquarters said in a statement on Saturday that President Barzani sent the message to King Abdullah II on Friday, Oct. 23, following the attack.
In the message, President Barzani condemned what he described as a terrorist attack and expressed solidarity with Jordan during the aftermath.
He also extended his condolences to King Abdullah II, the people of Jordan and the relatives of the victims.
The message followed an attack on a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hammoud, in Karak Governorate, where gunmen opened fire on Friday.
Jordanian authorities said at least seven people were killed and 34 others wounded.
According to the country's Public Security Directorate, the attackers arrived in a vehicle and opened fire during a funeral procession before fleeing the scene.
A manhunt was launched for those responsible.
Jordan's King Abdullah II vowed a forceful response to the attack, saying those who threatened the country would face severe retaliation.
Jordanian Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya described the shooting as a terrorist attack carried out by extremists and said security forces were working to identify and capture the perpetrators.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in Jordan also condemned the attack and said it would not weaken the Christian community's attachment to the country.
Karak is home to a significant Christian population in Jordan, where Christians make up a small minority of the population.
Attacks on houses of worship in the kingdom are rare.
The latest violence revived memories of a 2016 attack in Karak in which 10 people were killed after militants targeted security personnel and later barricaded themselves inside the city's historic castle.
President Barzani's message focused on solidarity with Jordan and support for the victims' families following Friday's attack.
His condemnation also joined a wider regional response, with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun among the leaders who denounced the shooting and described it as an act aimed at undermining coexistence.