At least seven people were killed and 34 others injured when gunmen opened fire at a Greek Orthodox church in southern Jordan on Friday, prompting King Abdullah II to vow a strong response against those responsible.
According to authorities, the attackers arrived in a vehicle and opened fire during a funeral procession at the church in Hammoud village in the Karak Governorate. Jordan’s Public Security Directorate said a manhunt had been launched to track down the perpetrators.
“The terrorist attack against Karak will be met with the harshest retaliation,” King Abdullah II said in a post on X, warning that Jordan would take a firm stance against anyone threatening the country’s security.
State broadcaster Al-Mamlaka reported that the king visited Karak on Friday evening following the incident.
Director of Public Security Major General Abdullah Al-Maaytah confirmed that the death toll had risen from six to seven. He said 34 people were injured, with 27 still receiving medical treatment.
Footage broadcast by Al-Mamlaka reportedly showed armed men approaching the church entrance and opening fire before advancing into the compound.
Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya condemned the incident, describing it as a terrorist attack carried out by extremists. He said security agencies were working continuously to identify and apprehend those responsible.
Government Communications Minister Mohammed Al-Momani also confirmed that security forces were investigating the attack.
A witness told Al-Mamlaka that the gunmen fired for approximately five minutes before fleeing. The witness estimated that between 150 and 200 people were in and around the church at the time, adding that many of the victims were aged between 50 and 70.
The incident has raised concerns over an attack on a place of worship in Jordan, a predominantly Muslim country where Christians account for an estimated two to three per cent of the population. Karak is home to a significant Christian community.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in Jordan condemned the violence and said any attempt to force Christians out of the Holy Land would only strengthen their determination to remain there.
The archdiocese also expressed confidence that Jordanian society would reject extremist ideologies, stressing that the attack was incompatible with the country’s tradition of moderate Islam.
Attacks on places of worship are rare in Jordan. In 2016, a militant attack in Karak targeted a security centre and police patrols, killing 10 people, including seven security personnel and a female tourist. Four militants who had barricaded themselves inside the historic Karak Castle were subsequently killed.
Authorities have continued their investigation into Friday’s shooting as the country faces renewed concerns over security and the protection of religious communities.
