Gunmen Strike Greek Orthodox Church in Karak, Killing Seven During Funeral
A deadly assault on a religious service in southern Jordan has left dozens injured and triggered a national state of mourning as authorities hunt for the attackers.
By Thiago Kovalenko ·
Seven people lost their lives and forty others sustained injuries when armed men opened fire at a funeral service inside a Greek Orthodox church in the town of Karak. The attack occurred on Friday, targeting a congregation gathered in a community located approximately 55 miles south of the capital, Amman. For local families, the violence struck during a time of mourning, turning a somber ceremony into a scene of chaos and bloodshed.
Jordanian state television broadcasted footage showing two individuals approaching the building while wielding pistols. They began firing before a third man, carrying a semiautomatic rifle, stepped forward to join the assault. The three attackers then charged toward the interior of the church. Witness recordings captured the aftermath, revealing shattered glass and pools of blood on the floor. Dorgham Halasa, a mourner present at the service, stated that heavy gunfire erupted roughly fifteen minutes after the ceremony started, prompting people to flee. He described the scene as strange and chaotic, noting that others reported seeing four assailants, though security services have not yet confirmed the exact number.
The Jordanian government released a statement describing the incident as an act carried out by unknown assailants. Officials said investigations were proceeding at full speed but did not specify if any of the gunmen had been captured or killed. In response to the tragedy, the kingdom declared three days of national mourning. Health Minister Ibrahim al-Budour provided a grim update on the casualties, noting that two of the wounded remain in critical condition.
King Abdullah II addressed the nation on social media, vowing that Jordan would confront the terrorist act with the harshest penalties. He extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan spoke at a security meeting in Karak that evening, characterizing the attack as the result of terrorist ideology and blind extremism. He emphasized that legal measures would be taken against those seeking to introduce such extremism into the region.
The town of Karak has a history of significant violence. In 2016, gunmen ambushed police in a series of attacks, including one at a popular Crusader castle. That incident resulted in ten deaths, seven of whom were officers, along with dozens of injuries. Security forces eventually killed the attackers after a prolonged standoff. The town is home to a minority Christian population, making the recent attack particularly poignant for the community.
Condemnation for the shooting arrived from across the Middle East. Leaders in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Oman expressed their sorrow. Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, called the event a heinous terrorist attack. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein phoned his Jordanian counterpart to affirm solidarity in the face of terrorism. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also weighed in, labeling the attack especially heinous because it targeted people during a funeral. His spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said the Secretary-General called for all responsible parties to be found and held to account.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on identifying the attackers and providing support to the wounded and the bereaved. The national mourning period serves as a reminder of the impact of the violence on ordinary citizens, while officials work to ensure security measures are tightened in the region.
