Funeral Turned Deadly as Gunmen Kill Seven in Karak
Jordan declared three days of national mourning after an ambush at a Greek Orthodox church left 40 people wounded.
By Malcolm Davis ·
Seven people died and 40 were wounded when gunmen opened fire inside a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, Jordan, on Friday. The town sits about 90 kilometers south of Amman and hosts a small Christian community. State television showed two men with pistols moving toward the building before a third man carrying a semiautomatic rifle stepped forward to shoot. Witness videos captured shattered glass and blood on the church floor after the attackers ran inside.
Dorgham Halasa, a mourner present at the service, said heavy gunfire began about 15 minutes after the funeral started. He described the scene as chaotic, noting that people began to run immediately. Halasa did not see the shooters himself, but reported that others inside identified four assailants. Jordanian security services have not yet confirmed the exact number of attackers.
The attack follows a pattern of violence in the region. In 2016, gunmen attacked police in Karak, including at a nearby Crusader castle. That series of strikes killed ten people, seven of whom were officers, and left dozens injured. Security forces ended the threat after a prolonged standoff.
Jordanian authorities moved quickly to respond. The government stated that unknown assailants carried out the strike and that investigations are proceeding at full speed. Health Minister Ibrahim al-Budour reported that two of the wounded are in critical condition. The Petra News Agency confirmed the declaration of three days of national mourning for the kingdom.
King Abdullah II addressed the incident on social media, promising the harshest penalties for the terrorist act. He sent condolences to the families of the victims and wished recovery for those injured. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan spoke at a security meeting in Karak that evening. He labeled the attack a product of terrorist ideology and blind extremism, vowing legal measures against those who introduce such beliefs.
Regional leaders offered swift condolences. Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, called the shooting a heinous terrorist attack. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein phoned his Jordanian counterpart to express solidarity. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the attack especially heinous because it occurred during a funeral. His spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said the secretary-general wants all responsible parties found and held to account.
The next step in the process involves the ongoing police investigation into the identities of the shooters. Officials have not released details on arrests or the specific location of the final stand. The town of Karak remains under heightened security as mourners return to the church to collect belongings and assess the damage.
Source: NPR
