Three Suspects Wounded in Capture After 8 Killed in Jordan Church Attack

Jordanian security forces captured three armed suspects on Monday following a three-hour gunfight in Karak governorate. The attackers had killed eight people and injured 40 others at a church funeral on Friday. State media reported that the suspects were hiding in an abandoned house in the village of Al-Jadeeda when they were located.

The suspects refused to surrender and opened fire on officers. Security forces returned fire, wounding all three men before taking them into custody. A government source told Al Jazeera that the attackers sustained serious injuries. One suspect was in critical condition after the confrontation. No security personnel were killed. Officers found firearms and live ammunition at the scene.

Government Communication Minister Mohammad Momani praised the security forces for a successful joint operation. He confirmed that the three injured suspects were now in custody. The Public Security Directorate stated that the suspects had met their just fate. The directorate noted that the group did not claim a specific affiliation.

The original attack occurred on Friday at a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hamoud. Three gunmen opened fire during a funeral. The village is located approximately 120 kilometers southwest of Amman. The Ministry of Health reported eight deaths and 40 injuries. As of Monday, 27 injured people remained in hospital treatment. The director of Prince Ali Military Hospital in Karak said one patient was in critical condition following surgery.

Karak is home to a large portion of Jordan’s Christian minority. This group numbers about 300,000 people in a country of 11.5 million. King Abdullah II said those responsible for the attack would face the harshest penalties. He ordered a review of the country’s security procedures for responding to such incidents.

Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya stated that authorities were reviewing the circumstances that lead young people to embrace violence. He said anyone found to have participated in the attack would be held accountable. The review is part of a wider assessment of security protocols in the region.