At least 7 people killed in unprecedented shooting at church in Jordan

Jordan Reels After Deadly Attack on Church Mourners in Karak

Earthguardiansonline.com – Jordan has been shaken by a deadly shooting at a church in the southern province of Karak, where gunmen targeted people gathered for a funeral. At least seven people were killed and 40 others were wounded in the attack in Hmoud, an incident authorities described as terrorism directed at Christian worshippers.

The assailants had not been identified or arrested by Friday afternoon. Jordan’s public security agency said the attackers opened fire during the funeral gathering, leaving a community that has lived in the area for generations confronting an extraordinary act of violence.

Funeral Gathering Turns Into Scene of Violence

Residents had assembled at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church to mourn a member of the local community. Witnesses said more than 150 people were in and around the church when the attack began.

Tamer Halasa, who witnessed the shooting, told Al-Mamlaka television that men had been outside the building before attackers emerged from a vehicle and began firing. Security footage shared online appeared to show three gunmen shooting in the street before moving toward the church.

One witness said an attacker carried an AK-47 rifle and that the gunfire went on for several minutes. Another survivor described hiding behind the altar with other mourners as the attackers fired toward the church courtyard, where many attendees had been standing.

“It was a massacre … I did not imagine I would get out alive.”

The survivor said the gunmen shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the assault and struck people who had come together to grieve.

“They struck people who were gathered to grieve and mourn. I never ever imagined anything like this would ever happen anywhere in Jordan.”

The number of casualties changed repeatedly during the day as authorities gathered more information. Health Minister Ibrahim al-Budour said two of the injured were in critical condition.

King Vows a Strong Response

King Abdullah condemned what he called a terrorist act and pledged a severe response against those responsible. In a message posted on X, he said the country would not tolerate an attack on its people.

“The blood of Jordanians is precious, and we will strike those who transgress against this country with an iron fist.”

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan said government bodies were working to find and prosecute the perpetrators. He linked the attack to extremist ideology rooted in takfir, the practice of declaring other people to be unbelievers.

“What happened in Karak was the result of extremist terrorist ideology rooted in takfir (declaring others to be infidels), and we will not allow society to go down this path.”

Hassan announced three days of national mourning. Flags at government and public buildings will fly at half-staff during that period.

A Rare Sectarian Attack in Jordan

The shooting is especially alarming in Jordan, where sectarian violence is uncommon. Christians account for about 2% of the country’s population, and the town of Hmoud has maintained a predominantly Christian presence for centuries.

The attack has raised concern not only because of its death toll, but also because the victims were attending a funeral. Churches and mourning gatherings are normally places where families and neighbors come together in moments of shared loss. The violence transformed that setting into an emergency scene and deepened the shock felt across the kingdom.

Jordanian officials and regional leaders moved quickly to denounce the assault. Their statements focused on solidarity with the victims, rejection of extremism and the importance of preserving the country’s social cohesion.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem offered condolences to the victims’ families, residents of Hmoud and everyone affected by the shooting. The patriarchate, which serves Catholic communities in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan and Cyprus, emphasized that unity among Jordanians is an important safeguard against extremist violence and attempts to fuel discord.

“The national cohesion of the Jordanian people serves as a vital safeguard against terrorism, extremism, and any attempts to sow division or discord.”

Al-Azhar Institute in Cairo, a leading Sunni Muslim center of learning, also condemned the attack. Its Grand Imam, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, said the crime ran counter to the values of the Abrahamic faiths.

“This crime contradicts the teachings of the Abrahamic religions and reveals that its perpetrators are devoid of all compassion, humanity and morality.”

Iraq’s government issued its own condemnation, saying the attack demonstrated the destructive nature of terrorism, a threat the Iraqi people have faced and resisted.

Heightened Security Measures

The United States Embassy in Jordan expressed condolences to those killed and injured and voiced support for King Abdullah and the Jordanian people. It said Americans could expect a stronger police presence in various locations, including shopping malls and foreign embassies in Amman.

The embassy urged US citizens to remain cautious and watch for updates from Jordanian authorities, including the Directorate of Public Security. The increased visibility of security forces reflects the immediate concern that followed the shooting, even as investigators work to determine who carried out the attack and whether the gunmen had assistance.

For the people of Karak and Hmoud, the immediate focus remains on the victims, the critically injured and families mourning loved ones lost in an attack that shattered a solemn gathering. Jordan’s leadership has promised accountability, while communities across the country face the painful aftermath of a crime that officials say was intended to spread fear and division.