Three Gunmen Wounded in Karak Standoff After Eight Die in Church

Jordanian security forces detained three armed men on Monday after a three-hour standoff in the village of Al-Jadeeda. The suspects were found hiding in an abandoned house in Karak governorate. State media reported that the men refused to surrender and opened fire on officers. Forces returned fire, wounding all three before taking them into custody.

A government source told Al Jazeera that the suspects sustained serious injuries during the clash. One man is currently in critical condition. The Public Security Directorate stated that no security personnel were hurt during the operation. A search of the property yielded firearms and live ammunition.

The capture concludes a multi-day search for the attackers linked to a deadly shooting at a Greek Orthodox church. The attack occurred on Friday in the village of Hamoud, located approximately 120 kilometers southwest of Amman. Three gunmen opened fire on a funeral service. The Ministry of Health reported that eight people were killed and 40 were injured.

Twenty-seven patients remained hospitalized as of Monday. The director of Prince Ali Military Hospital in Karak said one patient remained in critical condition following surgery. Karak is a center for Jordan's Christian minority, which numbers approximately 300,000 in a population of 11.5 million.

Government Communication Minister Mohammad Momani described the capture as a successful joint effort in a post on X. He confirmed that the three men were wounded and detained after refusing to surrender. The Public Security Directorate issued a statement saying, "Terrorism has no place among us," and added that the suspects had met their "just fate." The statement did not name a specific group linked to the suspects.

King Abdullah II sent condolences to the families of the victims and stated that those responsible would face the "harshest penalties." The King ordered a review of national security procedures for responding to attacks. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said authorities are examining why young people embrace violence. He added that anyone found to have participated in the attack would be held accountable.

The next scheduled update will come from the Ministry of Health regarding the discharge of the remaining patients. The Public Security Directorate has not yet announced when the three suspects will appear before a judge.