Jordan arrests three suspects after deadly church shooting

Jordanian security forces arrested three suspects on Monday, Oct. 26, in connection with a gun attack on a Greek Orthodox funeral that left nine dead and 40 injured, state television reported.

The shooting occurred on Friday in Hamoud, a village in Karak governorate about 120 km southwest of Amman. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire for several minutes before fleeing the scene.

Arrest operation

The Public Security Directorate said its officers found the three suspects early on Monday hiding in an abandoned house in Karak. The suspects refused to surrender, opened fire on the officers, were wounded and then taken into custody, the directorate said in a statement carried on state media.

"Terrorism has no place among us," the directorate said, adding that the suspects had met their "just fate."

No security personnel were injured during the operation, and a cache of firearms and ammunition was recovered from the suspects, according to the directorate.

Official reactions

Interior Minister Mazen al‑Faraya said authorities are reviewing why young people turn to extremism and will hold accountable anyone found to have participated in the attack.

King Abdullah, who partners with the United States in counter‑terrorism, ordered security forces to respond with an "iron fist" to the rare assault on Jordan's Christian minority, the directorate reported.

Context and next steps

Jordanian officials described the incident as highly unusual in a country that is considered relatively stable in the Middle East. While the attack was labelled as carried out by "extremist terrorists," officials said it was too early to determine any links to known militant groups, and no group has claimed responsibility.

The Public Security Directorate did not disclose the suspects' affiliation or confirm membership in any organisation.