Gunmen Kill Seven at Greek Orthodox Funeral in Southern Jordan
Authorities in Karak governorate say extremists attacked a church compound during a procession, wounding 34 others.
By Harper Laurent ·
At least seven people died when gunmen opened fire at a Greek Orthodox church in southern Jordan on Friday. The attack occurred in the village of Hammoud, located in Karak governorate, about 110 miles south of the capital, Amman.
Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya announced the death toll at a press conference. He reported that 34 other individuals were wounded. Al-Faraya stated that a group of extremists carried out the shooting.
The public security directorate explained that the assailants exited a vehicle and stormed the church compound during a funeral procession. A manhunt for the shooters is currently underway. Karak is home to a large Christian community in the majority Sunni Muslim kingdom.
Footage from the state broadcaster Al-Mamlaka showed the attackers entering the scene. Two men in casual clothing held pistols, while a third carried a long gun. They fired from a street entrance and advanced toward the building.
An eyewitness told Al-Mamlaka that the attackers fired continuously for five minutes before fleeing. The witness estimated that 150 to 200 people were present in and around the church. Most of the victims were between the ages of 50 and 70.
King Abdullah II vowed to punish those responsible. He posted on social media that every Jordanian life is precious and that the nation would strike with an iron fist against those who threaten it. Minister of Government Communications Mohammed Al-Momani confirmed that security forces are investigating the incident.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the shooting as a heinous terrorist attack. A statement from his presidency said the violence reaffirms that terrorism has no religion or homeland and aims to strike at coexistence. Karak experienced deadly violence in 2016 when gunmen ambushed police at a Crusader castle, killing ten people.
