Jordan arrests 3 suspects in Karak's Church Attack

Jordan's state television reported today that security forces had arrested three people suspected of involvement in Friday's attack on a church in Karak, which left nine people dead.

The attack occurred when gunmen opened fire during a funeral at an Orthodox church on Friday in the village of Hamoud in Karak Governorate, about 120 kilometers southwest of the capital, Amman. Forty others were injured. Witnesses said the gunfire lasted several minutes.

Jordan's Public Security Directorate said security forces found the three suspects hiding in an abandoned house in Karak early Monday.

In a statement carried by state media, the directorate said the suspects refused to surrender and opened fire on security forces, who returned fire and arrested all three after they were wounded.

No security personnel were injured. A number of firearms and ammunition were also found in the suspects' possession following their arrest, according to the directorate.

The directorate said, “Terrorism has no place among us. This group, which has strayed from religion, customs, and morality, met its just fate at the hands of the security forces," 

The Public Security Directorate did not identify the suspects' affiliations or say whether they belonged to any armed group.

Jordanian authorities described the attackers as “extremists.” No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said today, “We are reviewing all the circumstances that lead young people toward extremism, and we will hold accountable everyone proven to have been involved. We will turn this tragedy into measures that protect the lives of citizens.”

A-H 

ANHA