Jordanian King Orders Military Sweep After Gunmen Kill Eight in Karak
Eight people died and 40 were wounded when attackers opened fire during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church, prompting a national manhunt and heightened security across the country.
By Alessia Romano ·
King Abdullah II of Jordan directed security forces to pursue the attackers of a Karak church with an "iron fist" following a shooting that killed eight people and wounded 40. The royal court issued the instruction on Friday after gunmen opened fire during a funeral service at a Greek Orthodox church located roughly 120 kilometers southwest of the capital, Amman.
Witnesses described the scene as a sudden outbreak of gunfire in broad daylight. Nasser al-Burqan, a lawyer who survived the incident, told Reuters that an attacker standing about two meters away aimed a handgun at him and fired. He later learned from his son, who was also present at the mass, that the young man had been shot in the leg and was receiving medical treatment. Al-Burqan added that he saw two assailants through a window after the initial barrage; one was masked, while the other carried a handgun without a mask.
Jordanian officials classified the incident as an act of extremist terrorism. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan stated on the social media platform X that the attack was a result of terrorist ideology and blind extremism. He declared that society would not be allowed to follow that path. No group has claimed responsibility for the violence, and authorities said it was premature to determine if the perpetrators had links to known organizations inside or outside Jordan.
The government declared a three-day national mourning period. In response to the attack, the US embassy in Amman reported that Jordan has increased security measures at shopping malls, foreign embassies, and other high-profile sites. Police were seen patrolling the exterior of the church in video footage released on Saturday. Bahjat al-Rushda, the mayor of Shihan village in Karak, described the attack as wicked and expressed hope that the country would remain safe.
Tarek Ammarin, whose relative was treated at a local hospital, called the event a massacre in every sense. Although such attacks are uncommon in Jordan, authorities have noted that they have thwarted several plots by violent groups in recent years. The Karak region hosts a minority Christian population, and the country contains several biblical sites that attract international pilgrims.
