Jordanian police end three-hour shootout to capture church attack suspects

Jordanian security forces arrested three suspects in the shooting that killed eight people at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak governorate last Friday. The arrests followed a three-hour gun battle on Monday morning in the village of al-Jadeeda, located six minutes from the site of the attack.

Interior Minister Mazin al-Farrayeh stated that the three men are all Jordanians and belong to the same family, including two brothers. He said authorities identified the suspects early but deployed extensive resources to locate them. The men were found hiding in an abandoned house and resisted capture until they were subdued. One suspect sustained critical injuries during the exchange of fire, while the others were wounded.

The Public Security Directorate reported that the suspects refused to surrender and opened fire on officers. Security forces recovered firearms and ammunition from the hideout. Al-Farrayeh noted that the search involved raiding multiple locations before surrounding the final hideout. He described the suspects as having put up fierce resistance before being taken into custody.

The initial attack occurred on Friday when armed men stormed the compound of St George’s Church in the village of Hamoud during a funeral procession. Video footage showed the shooters firing at people outside the building and running toward the entrance. The incident resulted in eight deaths and 34 injuries. Authorities labeled the attackers as extremist terrorists with no known ties to external groups.

King Abdullah II ordered an iron fist response to the attack, which he called unprecedented. He stated that the security and safety of Jordanians is a red line and that the hand of justice will reach every terrorist. The king also pledged the harshest retaliation possible for the shooting.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan declared three days of national mourning starting Friday. Flags flew at half-mast over government institutions. The victims were buried in Karak on Sunday in a funeral attended by a large crowd, with their coffins draped in national flags.

Al-Farrayeh said investigations are ongoing and that everyone involved in the terrorist act will face justice. He urged citizens to remain calm and reject violence. The ministry is examining circumstances that lead young people toward extremism and will implement practical measures to protect civilians.

The suspects have not been publicly named by the authorities. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The Christian minority in Jordan makes up between 2 percent and 3 percent of the population, and Karak is home to a notable community of believers.