Jordan church shooting: 7 killed, 34 injured during funeral; King Abdullah vows harshest retaliation

Seven people were killed and 34 injured after gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a church in southern Jordan on Friday, prompting King Abdullah II to vow the harshest retaliation as security forces launched a search for those responsible.

The shooting took place at Hamoud Church in the Karak governorate, according to Jordan’s Public Security Directorate. State-owned broadcaster Al-Mamlaka reported that the attackers arrived in a vehicle and opened fire during the funeral procession.

Security personnel were deployed at the scene and were pursuing the suspects. Authorities had not identified those responsible, and no group had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Security camera footage published by Saudi channel Al Arabiya shows three attackers in the Jordan church shooting. One carried an automatic weapon. Two carried pistols. One of the three appears to have suffered a weapon jam. He never reached the church and did not join the shooting. The toll from the attacks at the church in Al-Karak, in Jordan's south, stands at 6 killed and 28 wounded. The manhunt for the perpetrators continues, per Jordanian security services. https://t.co/qYRs7XfQAR

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King Abdullah promises strong response

King Abdullah condemned the attack and warned that those responsible would face severe consequences.

“The terrorist attack against Karak will be met with the harshest retaliation. Those who delude themselves into thinking that they can divide Jordanians with their bullets have no chance in the face of our unity,” he said in a statement.

The King also vowed that those behind the shooting would be punished “with an iron fist”.

Witnesses describe gunfire during funeral

Khaled Burqan, who was attending the funeral, told Al-Mamlaka that dozens of people had gathered for the ceremony when gunmen opened fire for several minutes.

He said one attacker was carrying a rifle and another a pistol.

Footage broadcast by Al-Mamlaka, apparently recorded by a security camera mounted at the church, appeared to show three people firing from a pavement and taking cover behind trees and a low wall before running towards the church entrance.

The circumstances of the attack, including the identities of those involved and their motive, remained unclear.

Attacks remain rare in Jordan

The shooting has drawn attention to security concerns in Jordan, a country generally regarded as relatively stable. Authorities have previously said they foiled attempted attacks by Islamist militants in recent years.

Christians form a minority of Jordan’s population, while the country is home to several biblical sites visited by Christian pilgrims from around the world.

Jordan’s Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Mohammad Khalayleh, and several members of Parliament also condemned the attack in comments to Al-Mamlaka.

Jordan has faced increased Iranian attacks this year following US and Israeli strikes against Iran in February, according to the report.