Jordanian security forces arrested three armed suspects on Monday following a shootout in an abandoned house in the village of al-Judayyda, located in the Karak governorate, after an attack on St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church during a funeral left nine people dead and 40 others wounded.
The raid brought a violent end to a manhunt launched after Friday’s assault, which struck the Christian minority community in the village of Hamoud. Interior Minister Mazin al-Farrayeh stated that the three suspects are Jordanians who were identified early in the investigation. Security forces tracked them to an abandoned hideout in al-Jadeeda, roughly a six-minute drive from the site of the church shooting, according to Al Jazeera.
When officers closed in, the suspects refused to surrender and opened fire. The gun battle lasted about three hours before security personnel subdued all three individuals. The Public Security Directorate reported that the suspects sustained injuries during the exchange, while no security personnel were injured. Officers recovered firearms and ammunition at the scene.
His Majesty @KingAbdullahII visits the village of Hmoud in #Karak to offer condolences to the families of the martyrs of the terrorist attack.#Jordan
The Response from Amman and the Monarchy
King Abdullah II condemned the killings during a National Security Council meeting, ordering security forces to respond to the violence with an “iron fist.” The monarch said there was no room for leniency when it comes to the lives of Jordanians. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan represented the king at the victims’ funeral at the church.
High-ranking members of the royal family traveled to Karak to offer condolences to the bereaved families. Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II visited the mourning house in Hammoud village, condemning the attack as a cowardly and treacherous act that targeted Jordan and all Jordanians. Queen Rania, accompanied by Princess Salma and Princess Rajwa, also met with grieving families at the Hammoud Charitable Society, as reported by Petra.
Today’s heinous crime against worshippers in Karak has devastated us all. This deep wound is borne by all Jordanians and the loss is not only felt by the village of Hmoud, but by each member of the larger Jordanian family.Our hearts are with our people of Al Karak. May the…
On Sunday, thousands of mourners gathered in Karak for the funeral of the victims. Public Security Directorate personnel carried the coffins, which were draped in Jordanian flags, through large crowds amid a heavy security presence.
Global leaders express solidarity after church assault
The rare assault on a Christian place of worship drew expressions of solidarity from global and religious leaders. Speaking after the Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for the victims and expressed closeness to Jordan, highlighting the country’s peaceful coexistence and respect among different religions.
Authorities have not publicly named the suspects or identified any organizational affiliations. Interior Minister al-Farrayeh described the perpetrators as extremists who have no relationship to humanity, adding that the government is examining the circumstances that led young people towards extremism. The U.S. embassy in Amman responded to the incident by stepping up security measures at malls and foreign embassies across the country, reflecting Jordan’s status as a partner in the fight against militant groups.
| Event Detail | Recorded Fact |
|---|---|
| Date of Attack | Friday, October 23 |
| Location | Hamoud, Karak governorate (approx. 120km southwest of Amman) |
| Casualties | 9 killed, 40 wounded |
| Date of Arrest Raid | Monday, October 26 |
| Arrest Location | Al-Judayyda, Karak governorate |
Investigations into the full circumstances of the attack remain ongoing as state agencies work to hold all involved parties accountable.
The Nashama have chased them to the very end. We vowed the terrorists would not escape punishment, and no proponent of dark ideologies that divide Jordanians will be tolerated. We pray that the martyrs’ souls rest in peace and wish the injured a speedy recovery.May God protect…
More on Jordan
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein offers condolences to families of the martyrs of the terrorist attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George in #Karak, and denounces the attack on innocent people in a place of worship, calling it a cowardly and treacherous act.… pic.twitter.com/p8DsdAqWgu
