Three Men Captured After Church Raid

Jordanian security forces detained three suspects on Monday morning following a standoff that lasted three hours. The arrests stem from Friday’s attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Karak governorate, which killed at least eight people. Officials stated the men are Jordanian nationals and members of the same family.

The attack occurred on Friday when armed men entered the compound of St George’s Church in Hamoud during a funeral procession. Video footage shows three individuals shooting outside the building and firing on men attempting to flee. The incident left eight dead and 34 wounded. Security sources described the gunmen as extremist terrorists.

In response to the violence, King Abdullah II convened a National Security Council meeting on Saturday. He declared the safety of Jordanians a red line and ordered a strong response. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan declared three days of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast over public institutions. The eight victims were buried in Karak on Sunday under heavy security.

The suspects were hiding in an abandoned house in the village of al-Jadeeda. This location is a six-minute drive from Hamoud. According to the Public Security Directorate, the men refused to surrender and opened fire on officers. A government source confirmed the exchange of gunfire continued for approximately three hours before the men were subdued.

Interior Minister Mazin al-Farrayeh announced that all three were arrested with severe injuries. One suspect was reported critically hurt. Authorities recovered firearms and ammunition from the hideout. The ministry stated that no ties to other armed groups had been found, and no organization has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Al-Farrayeh said the investigation continues and that all involved will face justice. He described the attackers as extremists with no relationship to humanity. The minister also said officials are examining factors that drive young people toward extremism. He urged citizens to remain calm and reject violence.

The village of Hamoud is known for its medieval-era castle. Karak has a notable Christian community within a Muslim-majority kingdom. Christians make up between 2 percent and 3 percent of the population. Social media images identified one of the victims as Mohammad al-Qasous.