Karak Church Massacre: Three Suspects Detained in Abandoned House

Jordanian security forces arrested three armed men on Monday following a firefight in Karak governorate. The arrests connect to a deadly shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hamoud, which took place on Friday. State television reported that nine people died in the attack, while forty others sustained injuries. Witnesses described the initial gunfire as lasting several minutes.

The Public Security Directorate stated that officers located the suspects hiding inside an abandoned house in Karak. The men refused to surrender and opened fire on the security team. Forces returned the fire, wounding all three individuals before taking them into custody. Officials confirmed that no security personnel were injured during the exchange. Investigators recovered several firearms and ammunition from the scene.

Authorities have labeled the perpetrators as extremist terrorists, although no group has claimed responsibility for the violence. The directorate noted that the suspects had met their just fate. King Abdullah, a partner to the United States in regional security efforts, ordered a strong response to the attack on the Christian minority. The monarch described the approach as an iron fist.

Jordan is generally viewed as a stable state in the Middle East, making such violence unusual. Officials have previously thwarted several Islamist plots. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said his team is reviewing the factors that draw young people toward extremism. He added that every individual found to have participated in the attack will face accountability.

The directorate has not released the names of the three detained men. It also has not publicly linked them to a specific Islamist organization. The next step in the investigation involves a full review of the circumstances surrounding the funeral service.