Jordan arrests 3 in connection with church attack state media reports
Three suspects arrested in Karak
Security forces tracked the three suspects to an abandoned house in Karak, the Public Security Directorate said. The men declined to surrender and opened fire, prompting officers to shoot back and arrest them after they were wounded.
The directorate reported no injuries among security personnel. Officers also recovered firearms and ammunition from the suspects, whose names and possible group ties have not been made public.
Funeral shooting killed nine
The arrests followed an attack on Friday at a Greek Orthodox church in Hamoud, a village in Karak governorate about 120 kilometres southwest of Amman. The shooting happened during a funeral, leaving nine people dead and 40 wounded.
Witnesses said the gunfire continued for several minutes. Jordanian officials have described the assailants as extremist terrorists, but no one has claimed responsibility.
King calls for forceful response
King Abdullah ordered security forces to respond with an “iron fist,” a phrase used by the king in response to the rare attack on Jordan’s Christian minority. The monarch is a U.S. partner in efforts against Islamist militant groups.
Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said officials were examining how young people became drawn to extremism. He said anyone found to have taken part in the attack would be held accountable.
Key points
- Three armed suspects were arrested after a shootout with Jordanian security forces in Karak.
- Friday’s church attack during a funeral killed nine people and wounded 40.
- Authorities say officers found firearms and ammunition, but have not named the suspects or identified affiliations.
- No group has claimed responsibility for the shooting.