Three Men Captured After Karak Church Firefight

Jordanian security forces detained three men in an abandoned house on Monday, concluding a three-hour firefight linked to Friday's attack on a church in Karak governorate. The raid resulted in the arrest of three Jordanian nationals who authorities identified as relatives. One suspect is in critical condition, while the other two sustained severe injuries during the exchange of gunfire.

Interior Minister Mazin al-Farrayeh stated that the men were hiding in al-Jadeeda, a village located six minutes from the site of the attack. He described the resistance as fierce, noting that officers returned fire after the suspects attacked them. Petra, the state news agency, reported that firearms and ammunition were recovered from the hideout. A senior security official confirmed that the group included two brothers and a father, with no known ties to other armed groups.

The initial assault occurred during a funeral procession at St George's Church in the village of Hamoud. Armed men entered the compound, killing eight people and wounding 34 others. Security camera footage shows three individuals shooting outside the church and firing on a group of men attempting to flee. The victims were buried in Karak on Sunday, with coffins draped in national flags carried through crowds under heavy security.

King Abdullah II addressed the National Security Council on Saturday, ordering an "iron fist" response to the attack on the country's Christian minority. He described the safety of Jordanians as a "red line" and promised that justice would reach every terrorist. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan declared three days of national mourning, with flags at half-mast over government buildings. The kingdom has a Christian population estimated between 2 percent and 3 percent of the total.

Al-Farrayeh told a press conference that the investigation continues and that all involved will be taken to justice. He characterized the attackers as "extremists" with no relationship to humanity. In a post on X, he noted that officials are examining the factors driving young people toward extremism. He urged citizens to stay calm and said the tragedy would lead to practical measures to protect civilians. No organization has yet claimed responsibility for the killings.