Amman, Oct 2026 : At least seven people were killed and 40 others injured after gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, southern Jordan, on Friday, triggering widespread shock and prompting authorities to launch an investigation. Two of the injured are in critical condition, officials said.
The shooting occurred in Karak, approximately 180 kilometres south of the Jordanian capital, Amman. The incident has raised concerns over security and prompted strong condemnation from Jordan's leadership and several regional and international organisations.
Jordanian state television broadcast footage apparently showing two men carrying pistols approaching the church and opening fire. A third man, seemingly armed with a semiautomatic rifle, subsequently joined them before the three moved towards the church.
Videos recorded by witnesses showed broken glass and blood on the church floor following the attack, highlighting the violence that unfolded during the funeral gathering.
Witnesses Describe Panic During Church Shooting
Dorgham Halasa, who was attending the funeral, said heavy gunfire erupted approximately 15 minutes after the ceremony began, causing mourners to flee in panic.
Halasa said he did not personally see the attackers but was informed by others that as many as four gunmen might have been involved. The Associated Press could not independently verify the number of assailants, and security officials had not immediately provided further details.
A government statement described the incident as an attack carried out by unidentified assailants and said investigations were progressing rapidly. Authorities did not immediately confirm whether any suspects had been arrested or killed.
Following the shooting, Jordan declared three days of national mourning, according to the state-run Petra News Agency.
Health Minister Ibrahim al-Budour confirmed that two of the injured remained in critical condition as medical teams continued to treat those wounded in the attack.
King Abdullah II Condemns Attack
Jordan's King Abdullah II strongly condemned the shooting and pledged severe punishment for those responsible. He also conveyed condolences to the families of the victims and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, who attended a security meeting in Karak on Friday evening, attributed the attack to extremist ideology and said those responsible would face legal consequences.
Hassan also emphasised that the authorities would take legal action against individuals seeking to promote extremism, underlining the government's commitment to addressing security threats.
The investigation is expected to focus on identifying the attackers, establishing their motives and determining whether others were involved in planning or supporting the shooting.
Regional and UN Leaders Condemn Violence
The attack drew condemnation from several countries across the Middle East, including Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Oman.
Ahmed al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Cairo, described the incident as a heinous terrorist attack and expressed condolences to the victims' families.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein also expressed solidarity with Jordan in its fight against terrorism during a telephone conversation with his Jordanian counterpart.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the shooting, with his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, saying the UN chief had called for those responsible to be identified and held accountable.
Guterres also highlighted the particular gravity of violence committed during a funeral, when families and communities gather to mourn their dead.
Karak's History of Deadly Violence
Karak, a historic city with a minority Christian population, has witnessed deadly violence in the past.
In 2016, gunmen carried out a series of attacks in the city, including at a Crusader castle popular with tourists. The violence killed 10 people, including seven police officers, and injured dozens more.
Jordanian security forces subsequently killed the attackers following a prolonged standoff.
The latest church shooting has once again placed security in Karak under scrutiny. As investigations continue, authorities face the task of establishing responsibility for the attack and ensuring accountability for the killings and injuries.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
