Jordan's Monarch Directs Swift Hunt for Suspects After Fatal Karak Church Shooting
Following a deadly daytime ambush that left eight dead and dozens injured, the country has intensified security measures and declared a period of national grief.
By Natalia Costa ·
Residents across Jordan are facing a heightened state of alert after a violent incident at a place of worship in the Karak region. The royal court announced that King Abdullah has given clear instructions to security personnel to act decisively and locate the individuals behind the assault. This directive comes after eight people lost their lives and forty more sustained injuries during the shooting.
In the immediate aftermath, safety protocols have been tightened at various high-profile locations. According to the US embassy in Amman, guards have been deployed to shopping centers, diplomatic missions, and other key sites throughout the nation. Law enforcement agencies are currently conducting an active search to identify and apprehend those responsible for the violence.
The incident occurred on Friday afternoon at a Greek Orthodox church situated in Karak, approximately 120 kilometers southwest of the capital city, Amman. Witnesses reported that armed men opened fire for several minutes during a funeral service held in broad daylight. Government officials have classified the event as an act of extremist terrorism, highlighting the shock of an attack occurring during a solemn gathering.
As of now, no specific group has come forward to claim responsibility for the killings. The state-run Petra News Agency reported that the nation has entered a three-day period of mourning. Authorities noted that it is still premature to determine if the shooters had connections to established organizations within Jordan or abroad.
The King traveled to the affected area within hours of the gunfire stopping. During his visit, he pledged that those responsible would be dealt with severe force. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan also addressed the public on the social platform X, describing the event as the outcome of a rigid terrorist mindset. He emphasized the need to prevent society from following that path, adding, "We will not allow society to go down this path."
Eyewitness accounts provide a chilling look at the chaos. Nasser al-Burqan, a lawyer who survived the ordeal, spoke with Reuters about the terrifying minutes he experienced. He recalled an attacker standing roughly two meters away pointing a handgun at him before firing. Later, his son called to inform him that he had been shot in the leg and was receiving medical care. Al-Burqan noted that after the shooting stopped, he spotted two figures through a window, one wearing a mask and the other holding a firearm.
The emotional toll is evident in the statements from those affected. At a local hospital, Tarek Ammarin, a relative of an injured patient, described the event as a massacre in the truest sense. Bahjat al-Rushda, the mayor of Shihan village in Karak, labeled the attack wicked and expressed hope that the country would remain secure. Footage from Saturday showed police officers actively patrolling the exterior of the church.
While such violent incidents are uncommon in Jordan, officials from the US-allied nation have stated that they have disrupted multiple plots by strict Islamic groups in recent years. The Karak area hosts a small Christian community, and the wider country features numerous biblical locations that attract pilgrims from around the globe.
