Jordan Arrests Three Suspects in Karak Church Attack That Killed Nine

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Jordanian security forces arrested three suspects early Monday, Oct. 26, in connection with Friday's deadly attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Karak governorate, where nine people were killed during a funeral gathering, the country's Public Security Directorate announced.

The arrests followed a weekend search for the suspected attackers involved in the shooting in the village of Hammoud, southern Jordan. Police traced the suspects to an abandoned house in Karak, where a specialized team surrounded the building and detained all three, according to the directorate's statement.

Officers also confiscated weapons and other equipment found with the suspects. Authorities said questioning was continuing to establish the full circumstances of the attack before the case is referred to court. They did not disclose the suspects' identities, describe a possible motive or identify any organization linked to the shooting.

The attack took place on Friday, Oct. 23, as mourners gathered for a funeral at the church. It drew condemnation from Jordanian officials and Christian religious leaders.

Authorities initially reported six deaths, before Public Security Director Major General Abdullah al-Maaytah raised the toll to seven later Friday. Officials said at the time that 34 people had been injured and that 27 remained under medical care. Monday's statement placed the death toll at nine but provided no revised injury figure.

Video broadcast by Jordanian state television channel Al-Mamlaka showed three armed men approaching the church from the street, two carrying pistols and another holding a longer firearm. The footage showed them opening fire and moving into the compound.

A witness interviewed by Al-Mamlaka said the shooting lasted about five minutes before the attackers fled. The witness estimated that between 150 and 200 people were at or around the church and said many of those affected were older adults.

King Abdullah II condemned the assault on Friday and promised a forceful response, declaring on X that those threatening Jordan would face the "harshest retaliation." The king later traveled to Karak, where state television showed his arrival that evening.

Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya described the incident as an act of terrorism carried out by extremists and said security personnel were working continuously to find those responsible. Government Communications Minister Mohammed al-Momani also confirmed that an investigation was underway.

Jordan's Greek Orthodox Archdiocese condemned the violence and rejected any attempt to intimidate the country's Christians or force them from their homeland. The church expressed confidence in Jordanian society's resistance to extremist ideas and emphasized the longstanding roots of the Christian community.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also condemned the shooting, warning in a statement that terrorism threatened coexistence and sought to provoke division.

Christians account for an estimated two to three percent of Jordan's population, and Karak has a substantial Christian community. Attacks on churches are uncommon in the kingdom, although Karak was the scene of another deadly assault in 2016, when gunmen attacked a security center and police patrols, killing 10 people.

With the three suspects now in custody, investigators are examining their alleged roles and the circumstances surrounding the church shooting. Jordanian authorities have not yet announced when the detainees will appear before a court.