Jordanian forces wound three suspects hiding in Karak village

Jordan’s Christian minority constitutes roughly 300,000 of the nation’s 11.5 million residents, a demographic that recently faced a deadly assault in the Karak governorate. State media reported on Monday that security forces arrested three armed suspects who had been hiding in the area following the attack.

The men were located inside an abandoned house in the village of Al-Jadeeda. The Public Security Directorate stated that the suspects refused to surrender and opened fire on officers. Security personnel returned fire, wounding all three men during a confrontation that lasted approximately three hours. No security forces were injured during the exchange, and a search of the property uncovered firearms and live ammunition.

The timeline of the incident began on Friday when three gunmen opened fire at a funeral held at a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hamoud. The village is situated about 120 kilometers southwest of Amman. The Ministry of Health confirmed that eight people died and 40 were wounded in the shooting. By Monday, 27 of the injured remained hospitalized. The director of Prince Ali Military Hospital in Karak noted that one patient was in critical condition after surgery. A government source told Al Jazeera that one of the captured suspects was also in critical condition following the standoff.

Government officials responded to the capture with statements emphasizing accountability. Mohammad Momani, the Government Communication Minister, posted on X that the security forces conducted a successful joint operation. He confirmed that all three suspects were injured and taken into custody after they resisted arrest. The Public Security Directorate issued a statement describing the event as a just fate for the suspects, who they said had met their end while avoiding specific mentions of affiliated groups.

King Abdullah II addressed the nation to offer condolences to the victims’ families. He stated that those behind the attack would face the harshest penalties. The King ordered a review of the country’s security procedures for responding to attacks. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya added that authorities were examining the circumstances that lead young people to embrace violence. He pledged to hold accountable anyone found to have participated in the shooting.

The investigation continues as medical teams treat the wounded. The three suspects remain in custody in the Karak governorate. The next step involves the completion of the security review ordered by the King. This review aims to adjust protocols for future incidents. The Ministry of Health is tracking the recovery of the 27 patients still in hospital beds. The captured men are expected to face legal proceedings once their medical conditions stabilize.