Three suspects detained after three-hour standoff in Karak village

Jordanian Interior Minister Mazin al-Farrayeh announced on Monday that security forces have taken three suspects into custody in connection with the Friday attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Karak governorate. The operation ended a manhunt that concluded with a three-hour firefight in the village of al-Jadeeda. Authorities stated that the three men, all Jordanian nationals and members of the same family, were hiding in an abandoned house. They resisted capture and were injured during the exchange of fire, with one sustaining critical wounds.

The suspects are two brothers and a third relative, according to a senior security official. The Public Security Directorate confirmed that the men did not surrender when surrounded. Security forces returned fire, neutralizing the threat. Investigators recovered firearms and ammunition from the hideout. The directorate said the search operation expanded to multiple locations before the final raid. Al-Farrayeh described the group as having put up fierce resistance before being subdued.

The attack on St. George's Church in the village of Hamoud occurred on Friday during a funeral procession. Armed men stormed the compound, killing eight people and wounding 34 others. Footage from security cameras and local television stations showed three shooters entering the church grounds. Other videos captured the attackers firing on a group of men attempting to flee the building. The incident occurred in a region known for its medieval-era castle and a minority Christian population.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II ordered a strong response to the incident. He described the security and safety of Jordanians as a red line during a National Security Council meeting on Saturday. The King stated that the hand of justice would reach every terrorist. A day earlier, he said the shooting would be met with the harshest retaliation possible. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan declared three days of national mourning starting Friday. Government and public institution flags were flown at half-mast during the period.

The victims were buried in Karak on Sunday. Their coffins were draped with Jordanian flags as they were carried through a large crowd. A significant security presence surrounded the funeral. Social media posts identified some of the deceased, including Mohammad al-Qasous, a Christian resident. The Christian community in Karak is a notable minority in the Muslim-majority kingdom, where Christians comprise between 2 percent and 3 percent of the total population.

Al-Farrayeh told journalists that the suspects were identified early in the investigation. He said security services used all available means to apprehend them. The minister emphasized that investigations remain ongoing. He stated that everyone involved in the terrorist act will be taken to justice. Al-Farrayeh also said the government is examining the circumstances that lead young people toward extremism. He urged citizens to remain calm and reject violence.

The Public Security Directorate did not name the suspects or identify specific affiliations with armed groups. Al-Farrayeh described the perpetrators as extremists with no relationship to humanity, without naming specific organizations. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The directorate said the suspects met their just fate in the raid. A government source noted that the firefight in al-Jadeeda lasted about three hours. The village is located six minutes by drive from Hamoud, where the church is situated.

Al-Farrayeh posted on X that the government has apprehended the killers. He said the state is holding everyone found to be involved accountable. The minister added that the tragedy will result in practical measures to protect civilians. He stressed that Jordan is adamant that an attack like this does not happen again. The state news agency Petra reported on the recovery of weapons at the scene. The operation marked the conclusion of the immediate search phase for the three suspects.