Jordan arrests 3 suspects in Church attack that killed 9

Jordanian security forces have arrested three suspects accused of carrying out a deadly attack on a church in the southern governorate of Karak, bringing a major development in an investigation that has shaken the country’s Christian community and prompted a strong security response.

The suspects were captured during a dawn raid on Monday, October 26, after they barricaded themselves inside an abandoned house and opened fire on security personnel, authorities said. All three were wounded in the ensuing shootout. One was taken to hospital in critical condition, while the other two were reported to be stable.

The arrests came days after gunmen stormed the compound of the Greek Orthodox St George’s Church in the village of Hammoud on Friday, October 23, killing nine people during a funeral procession.

Jordan’s Public Security Directorate said specialised investigation and raid teams apprehended the suspects, describing them as the perpetrators of the attack. No security personnel were injured during the operation, according to the state broadcaster Al-Mamlaka.

Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said all three suspects were Jordanian citizens and had been hiding in a village near the scene of the shooting. He added that there was no indication of foreign involvement or cooperation with outside parties.

King Abdullah vows punishment

King Abdullah II vowed that those responsible would face justice, warning that extremist ideologies seeking to divide Jordanians would not be tolerated.

“The terrorists would not escape punishment,” the king said in a post on X, adding that security forces had pursued the suspects to the end.

Earlier, the monarch visited injured victims in hospital, wearing military fatigues and carrying a pistol on his hip. His visit underscored the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the attack.

Government Communications Minister Mohammad al-Momani also pledged a firm response against anyone attempting to undermine Jordan’s security. Under Jordanian law, murder is punishable by death by hanging.

Funerals held amid national mourning

The killings have triggered grief across Karak, an area with a significant Christian population in predominantly Muslim Jordan. Christians account for an estimated two to three per cent of the country’s population.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan ordered three days of national mourning following the attack, with flags lowered to half-mast at government buildings and public institutions.

Eight victims were buried on Sunday beside the church, with large crowds attending the funeral under heavy security. The ninth victim, Mohammed al-Qasous, was scheduled to be buried on Monday, according to his family.

Church officials have also been preparing a mass grave to serve as a memorial for the victims.

The arrests mark a significant step in the investigation, as Jordanian authorities seek accountability for the killings and reassure communities that violence targeting religious sites will not be tolerated.