Jordan tightens security after eight die in Karak church shooting

King Abdullah of Jordan has directed security forces to capture the gunmen responsible for a deadly ambush at a Greek Orthodox church in the Karak governorate. The royal court stated on Friday that the military must act with determination to find the perpetrators. This directive came after eight people were killed and 40 others were wounded during a funeral service.

The attack occurred in broad daylight, roughly 120 kilometers southwest of the capital, Amman. Officials characterized the incident as an act of extremist terrorism, though no group has yet claimed responsibility. The kingdom declared three days of national mourning in response to the casualties.

Jordan has expanded its defensive posture across the country following the shooting. The US embassy in Amman reported that security measures have been strengthened at shopping malls, foreign diplomatic missions, and other key locations. Authorities continue to search for the remaining suspects while patrolling the area where the shooting took place.

Nasser al-Burqan, a lawyer who survived the ambush, described the scene to Reuters. He said one attacker stood approximately two meters away and fired a handgun at him. His son, who was also present at the mass, was shot in the leg and is currently receiving hospital treatment. Al-Burqan noted that after the gunfire stopped, he saw two assailants near a window, one masked and the other holding a gun.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan addressed the incident on social media, describing the attack as a result of terrorist ideology and blind extremism. He stated that the government would not allow society to follow that path. King Abdullah traveled to Karak shortly after the shooting and vowed that the perpetrators would be punished with an iron fist.

Bahjat al-Rushda, the mayor of Shihan village in Karak, condemned what he called a wicked attack. He expressed hope that the country would remain safe. Tarek Ammarin, whose relative was injured, described the event as a massacre in every sense of the word. Video footage from Saturday shows police officers patrolling the exterior of the church.

Attacks of this nature are infrequent in Jordan, a US partner in the region. Officials note that they have thwarted several plots in recent years by groups driven by a strict interpretation of Islam. Karak hosts a minority Christian community, and the country contains several biblical sites that attract pilgrims from around the globe.