Armed attackers opened fire on mourners attending a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in southern Jordan, killing six people and injuring 28 others as security forces launched a manhunt for the suspects.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
At least six people were killed and 28 others wounded Friday, Oct. 23, when gunmen opened fire during a Christian funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in southern Jordan, prompting a nationwide security response and condemnation from King Abdullah II.
The attack occurred at Hamoud Church in the village of Hamoud, in Jordan’s Karak governorate, as mourners gathered for a funeral service. Witnesses reported that armed men arrived in a vehicle, approached the church and fired repeatedly at people attending the ceremony.
Jordan’s Public Security Directorate confirmed the casualties and said authorities were pursuing the unidentified attackers. Some victims remained hospitalized with serious injuries.
According to Anadolu Agency, Public Security Directorate spokesman Amer Sartawi described the shooting as a “criminal incident” and said investigators were working to identify those responsible.
“Investigations are proceeding at full pace, and we will provide updates on their findings as they become available,” Sartawi said.
Surveillance footage broadcast by Jordanian state television showed armed men approaching the church and firing toward the building. Two men initially appeared carrying handguns, followed by a third individual armed with a semiautomatic rifle.
The footage showed the attackers firing from outside the church before moving toward its entrance.
A witness, Khaled Burqan, told state-owned Al-Mamlaka television that the gunfire continued for several minutes, creating panic among mourners.
According to The National, approximately 150 to 200 people were inside or near the church when the attack began.
Witnesses said many of those attending were older adults, with several victims reportedly between 50 and 70 years old.
A relative of one of the victims told the newspaper that three doctors were among those killed.
“This was a direct attack on the church. Christians were the target,” the relative said.
Jordanian authorities have not independently established whether religious hatred was the motive. No organization immediately claimed responsibility for the shooting.
The country’s Interior Ministry described the perpetrators as extremists but said investigators had not determined whether they belonged to an established militant organization.
King Abdullah II condemned the shooting and visited Karak following the attack, promising that authorities would pursue those responsible.
“All Jordanians, from north to south, are partners in land and fate, and nothing stands between them,” the king said.
“Every Jordanian life is precious, and we will strike with an iron fist against those who dare to threaten our nation.”
The monarch also expressed condolences to the families of those killed and wished the injured a full recovery.
Jordanian officials characterized the shooting as an attack against the country’s security and social unity.
Government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said security agencies were investigating the circumstances of the incident and working to establish the identities of the attackers.
The shooting occurred in a region with a longstanding Christian population in a country where Muslims constitute the overwhelming majority.
Christians represent approximately 2% of Jordan’s population and include Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and other denominations. Jordan is also home to numerous biblical sites that attract Christian pilgrims from around the world.
Attacks targeting Christian religious gatherings are uncommon in Jordan, which has generally maintained relative stability despite regional conflicts and security threats.
However, Karak has previously experienced deadly militant violence.
In December 2016, armed extremists carried out attacks against police and civilians in the governorate, including at a historic Crusader castle popular with tourists. The violence killed 10 people, including seven security officers, before Jordanian forces killed the attackers.
The latest shooting comes during heightened regional tensions involving Israel, Iran and the United States, although authorities have not identified any connection between the funeral attack and those conflicts.
Jordanian officials have urged the public to avoid speculation while security agencies investigate.
International condemnation followed the shooting, including statements from American diplomatic representatives expressing solidarity with Jordan and the victims’ families.
The Associated Press reported that authorities initially provided differing casualty figures before confirming six deaths and 28 injuries. Some later reports cited higher totals, but the official toll remained six killed and 28 wounded in the latest Public Security Directorate confirmation.
Security forces continued searching for the suspects Friday as investigators examined surveillance footage, collected witness statements and worked to determine whether the attackers had accomplices.
The shooting has left the Christian community in Karak mourning six victims while authorities pursue those responsible for one of Jordan’s deadliest recent attacks on a religious gathering.
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