At least seven people were killed and 34 others injured in an attack in Jordan’s Karak Governorate, where gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a church.
In footage reportedly showing the attack, the assailants can be seen opening fire, with one of them appearing to shoot a victim lying motionless on the ground.
Jordan’s Public Security Directorate Director, Obeidallah Al-Maaytah, confirmed during a press conference on Friday that seven people had been killed in the attack on a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hamoud.
He added that 27 of the injured were receiving treatment in hospitals.
Reports have emerged suggesting that the Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the attack. Although the group has previously carried out attacks in Jordan, no official confirmation of responsibility has been established.
Survivors said they heard an explosion as the funeral procession began, after which masked gunmen stormed the church and opened fire for several minutes.
Jordanian state broadcaster Al-Mamlaka reported that security forces had been deployed to the church and were pursuing two suspects who had exited a vehicle and opened fire.
Speaking at the press conference, Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya described the attack as an “unprecedented” act of terrorism, carried out by a group that had “nothing to do with humanity”.
Although he did not identify a specific organisation, his remarks were interpreted as potentially referring to ISIS.
King Abdullah II condemns attack
Jordan’s King Abdullah II published two statements on X following the attack.
In his first statement, he warned that the terrorist attack in Karak would be met with the strongest possible response.
“The terrorist attack against Karak will be met with the harshest response. Those who are misled into believing they can divide Jordanians with their bullets stand no chance against our unity,” he said.
He emphasised that Jordanians throughout the country share a common homeland and destiny, adding that nothing could divide them.
The King expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“Every Jordanian life is precious, and we will strike with an iron fist against those who dare to threaten our nation,” he declared.
In a second post, King Abdullah reiterated that the authorities would respond to the attack with the strictest penalties.
He stressed that attempts to divide Jordanians through violence would fail in the face of the country’s resilience and unity.
He again extended condolences to the victims’ families and expressed his wishes for the injured to recover quickly.
“The blood of Jordanians is precious, and we will strike with an iron fist against anyone who dares to violate the boundaries of this country,” he stated.
European Union condemns terrorist attack
The European Union condemned Friday’s attack during the funeral, expressing solidarity with the victims and their families.
In an official statement, the EU reaffirmed its support for the people and government of Jordan.
It also expressed its full support for investigations being conducted by Jordanian security authorities to establish the precise circumstances surrounding the attack.
Queen Rania: ‘The wound is painful and traumatic’
Jordan’s Queen Rania also condemned the attack, describing it as a horrific crime that had deeply affected the entire country.
“This is a heinous crime that wounds all our hearts, as the hand of treachery struck peaceful worshippers in Karak today,” she said.
“The wound is painful and traumatic, and the tears of the village of Hamoud and its people are the tears of every Jordanian.”
The Queen expressed her solidarity with the people of Karak and offered prayers for the victims and their families.
“Our hearts are with our people in Karak. May God have mercy on the innocent martyrs, grant our wounded a speedy recovery, and protect Jordan and its people from all evil,” she concluded.
Source: in.gr
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