Jordanian police capture three relatives in Karak church case
The men were cornered in an abandoned house six minutes from the site of Friday's deadly attack, which left eight people dead and 34 wounded.
By Maya Morris ·
Three Jordanian men were arrested after a three-hour firefight on Monday, ending a search for suspects in Friday's church attack. Interior Minister Mazin al-Farrayeh confirmed the detainees are relatives, including two brothers, who hid in an abandoned house in the village of al-Jadeeda.
The assault occurred at St George's Church in Hamoud during a funeral procession. Armed men shot at the congregation, killing eight people and injuring 34 others. Security footage from the scene shows three individuals firing outside the church and chasing survivors who attempted to flee the compound.
Authorities identified the suspects early in the investigation. They refused to surrender when police surrounded their location. Officers returned fire, and the exchange lasted approximately three hours before the men were subdued. The Public Security Directorate reported that one suspect sustained critical injuries, while the others were also hurt. Police recovered firearms and ammunition from the hideout.
A senior security official stated that the suspects belong to one family and have no known ties to other armed groups. Al-Farrayeh described the attackers as "extremist terrorists" who "put up fierce resistance." He noted that security forces raided several locations before narrowing the search to al-Jadeeda, which is a six-minute drive from Hamoud.
King Abdullah II ordered a strong response to the attack. Speaking at a National Security Council meeting on Saturday, he declared that the safety of Jordanians is a "red line." The monarch promised that the hand of justice would reach every terrorist involved in the violence. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan declared three days of national mourning beginning on Friday, with flags at half-mast across government institutions.
The eight victims were buried in Karak on Sunday. Their coffins were draped in Jordanian flags and carried through a large crowd under heavy security. Karak has a notable Christian community, and Christians make up between 2 percent and 3 percent of Jordan's population. Al-Farrayeh said authorities are examining the circumstances that drive young people toward extremism.
Officials have not yet named the three men. No organization has claimed responsibility for the attack. Al-Farrayeh said the investigation continues and that all those involved will be taken to justice. He urged citizens to stay calm and reject violence as the search for answers moves forward.
Source: Al Jazeera
