Jordanian Police Capture Three Suspects in Abandoned Karak Home
The three armed men were wounded during a three-hour standoff days after a funeral shooting at a Greek Orthodox church left eight people dead.
By Emma Mehta ·
Jordan has detained three armed men linked to a fatal church attack in the Karak governorate. Security forces found the suspects hiding in an abandoned house in the village of Al-Jadeeda on Monday. State media reported that the men refused to surrender and opened fire on officers. Police returned fire and wounded all three before taking them into custody.
A government source told Al Jazeera that the clashes lasted approximately three hours. One suspect is in critical condition, while the others sustained serious injuries. The Public Security Directorate stated that no officers were hurt during the operation. A search of the location revealed firearms and live ammunition. The directorate described the suspects as having met their just fate but did not name a specific group associated with them.
The initial attack occurred on Friday at a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hamoud. Three gunmen opened fire during a funeral service. Hamoud is located about 120 kilometers southwest of Amman. Jordan's Ministry of Health reported that eight people died and 40 were injured in the shooting. By Monday, 27 of those wounded remained in hospital care.
Dr. Ibrahim al-Sharafi, director of Prince Ali Military Hospital in Karak, said one patient remained in critical condition following surgery. Government Communication Minister Mohammad Momani praised the security forces on social media. He called the capture operation a successful joint effort and confirmed that all three suspects were wounded and detained after refusing to give themselves up.
Karak is a center for Jordan's Christian minority. The Christian population in the country numbers approximately 300,000 out of a total population of 11.5 million. King Abdullah II expressed condolences to the victims' families. He stated that those responsible would receive the harshest penalties. The monarch also ordered a review of security procedures for responding to attacks.
Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said authorities are examining the circumstances that lead young people to embrace violence. He stated that anyone found to have participated in the attack would be held accountable. The directorate's statement emphasized that terrorism has no place among the people.
Source: Al Jazeera
