Jordan Wounds and Detains Three Gunmen in Abandoned House
The suspects were captured after a three-hour firefight following a Friday attack at a Greek Orthodox church that left eight people dead.
By Elena Rojas ·
Jordanian security forces took three armed men into custody on Monday after a three-hour exchange of fire in an abandoned house. The operation concluded a multi-day search for the attackers involved in a deadly shooting at a church in Karak governorate.
The suspects were located in the village of Al-Jadeeda. According to the Public Security Directorate, the men refused to surrender and opened fire on the security team. All three were wounded during the clash and subsequently detained. A government source noted that one suspect is in critical condition, while the other two sustained serious injuries.
The initial attack occurred on Friday at a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hamoud. Three gunmen opened fire during a funeral service. The Ministry of Health reported that eight people were killed and 40 were injured. By Monday, 27 of the wounded patients remained in hospitals. The director of Prince Ali Military Hospital in Karak confirmed that one patient remained in critical condition following surgery.
Security officials stated that no members of the security forces were injured during the capture operation. A search of the abandoned house revealed firearms and live ammunition. The Public Security Directorate described the operation as a joint effort and declared that the suspects had met their just fate. The statement did not identify a specific group linked to the attackers.
Karak is a center for Jordan's Christian minority, a population of approximately 300,000 in a country of 11.5 million. King Abdullah II ordered a review of national 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 added that anyone found to have participated in the attack would be held accountable.
Government Communication Minister Mohammad Momani praised the security forces in a post on X. He confirmed that the three suspects were detained after refusing to surrender. The capture marks the end of an active manhunt that began following the Friday shootings.
Source: Al Jazeera
