Jordanian Police Capture Three Relatives After Karak Church Raid

Three Jordanian men were taken into custody on Monday after a three-hour exchange of gunfire with security forces in the village of al-Jadeeda. The suspects are relatives linked to the Friday assault on St George's Church in Karak governorate, which killed eight people and wounded 34. Interior Minister Mazin al-Farrayeh stated that the men, identified early in the investigation, refused to surrender and attacked officers at an abandoned house where they were hiding.

A senior security official told journalists that the three suspects belong to one family and include two brothers. Authorities reported that no links were found to other groups. Al-Farrayeh described the resistance as fierce, noting that the men were subdued and arrested with severe injuries. One suspect is critically hurt. State news agency Petra reported that firearms and ammunition were recovered from the hideout. The village is a six-minute drive from Hamoud, the location of the church.

The attack occurred during a funeral procession. Armed men stormed the compound and fired on a group of men outside the building as they attempted to flee. Security camera footage broadcast by Al-Mamlaka TV shows three individuals shooting outside the church and running toward its entrance. King Abdullah II ordered security forces to respond with an iron fist to the attack. He described the safety of Jordanians as a red line and said the hand of justice would reach every terrorist.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan declared three days of national mourning beginning Friday. Flags were placed at half-mast over government and public institutions. The eight victims were buried in Karak on Sunday. A large crowd gathered at the funeral under heavy security, and coffins draped in Jordanian flags were carried through the mourners. Karak has a notable Christian community in a Muslim-majority kingdom where Christians make up between 2 percent and 3 percent of the population. Among the victims shown in images on social media was Mohammad al-Qasous, a Christian.

Al-Farrayeh said the attackers were extremists with no relationship to humanity. At a press conference, he stated that the investigation continues and that everyone involved will be taken to justice. He added that Jordan is adamant that an attack like this does not take place again. In a post on X, Al-Farrayeh said officials are examining the circumstances that push young people toward extremism. He urged citizens to stay calm and reject violence, saying the tragedy would lead to practical measures to protect civilians. The authorities have not named the suspects or linked them to any armed group, and no organization has claimed responsibility.