Jordanian police capture three relatives after three-hour firefight in Karak

Jordanian security forces captured three relatives on Monday morning, ending a three-hour gun battle in the village of al-Jadeeda. The suspects, who were hiding in an abandoned house, refused to surrender and opened fire on police, resulting in injuries to all three men, one of whom is critical. The arrests conclude the initial search phase for the individuals responsible for the deadly assault on St. George's Church in nearby Hamoud.

The attack occurred on Friday during a funeral procession. Armed men stormed the compound of the Greek Orthodox church in Karak governorate, killing eight people and wounding 34 others. St. George's Church is located in Hamoud, a village known for its medieval castle and its community of Christian residents. Security camera footage released after the incident showed three attackers shooting outside the building and moving toward the entrance while congregants attempted to flee.

Following the shooting, King Abdullah II ordered a hard response to the incident, describing the safety of citizens as a red line. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan declared three days of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast over public institutions. On Sunday, crowds gathered in Karak to lay the eight victims to rest. Their coffins were draped in Jordanian flags as they were carried through the crowd under heavy security.

Interior Minister Mazin al-Farrayeh stated on Monday that the three suspects are Jordanians from the same family, including two brothers. He noted that security services identified them early in the investigation and expanded the search scope until they were cornered in al-Jadeeda, which is six minutes by car from the church. A senior security official confirmed that authorities found no ties between the suspects and other armed groups, though al-Farrayeh described the attackers as extremists.

The Public Security Directorate reported that firearms and ammunition were recovered from the hideout. Al-Farrayeh said the suspects sustained severe injuries during the final operation. In a press conference, he emphasized that investigations continue and that everyone involved in the act will face justice. The directorate stated that the suspects had met their just fate, while the minister urged citizens to remain calm and reject violence.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Al-Farrayeh posted on social media that authorities are examining the circumstances that lead young people toward extremism. He promised practical measures to protect civilians and accountability for all involved. The ministry stressed that Jordan is adamant that a similar attack does not happen again, as the nation processes the rare violence in the Karak governorate.

The suspects were taken into custody after the standoff. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities review evidence from the scene and the hideout. The eight victims, including Mohammad al-Qasous, were identified through social media and official channels. The Christian community in the Muslim-majority kingdom, which makes up between two and three percent of the population, continues to mourn the loss of the eight lives taken in the Friday assault.