AMMAN, October 26, 2026. Jordanian security forces have arrested three suspects in connection with a deadly shooting at a Greek Orthodox church that killed nine people and wounded around 40 others in the southern governorate of Karak. The arrests took place early Monday following an intensive security operation targeting the suspected gunmen responsible for Friday’s attack in the village of Hamoud, approximately 120 kilometres southwest of the capital, Amman. According to Jordan’s Public Security Directorate, the suspects were located inside an abandoned building but refused to surrender, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire. All three men sustained serious injuries before being taken into custody, while authorities reported no casualties among the security personnel involved in the operation.
The attack occurred on Friday, October 23, when armed men opened fire on mourners attending a funeral at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Hamoud. Witnesses described scenes of panic as gunshots interrupted the religious gathering, forcing worshippers and other attendees to seek cover. Several victims died at the scene, while others were taken to nearby medical facilities with gunshot injuries. The violence shocked the local community, where Muslim and Christian families have lived alongside one another for generations. Authorities initially reported differing casualty figures as hospitals continued treating the wounded, but subsequent reports confirmed nine deaths and approximately 40 injuries.
Jordanian security forces conducted an operation in Karak that resulted in the arrest of three suspected attackers.
Jordan’s Public Security Directorate said investigators identified the suspects shortly after the church shooting and launched a coordinated search to locate them. Intelligence gathering eventually led officers to an abandoned house in Al-Judayyda village, a short distance from the scene of the original attack. Security personnel surrounded the building and ordered the suspects to surrender, but the men reportedly opened fire instead. Officers returned fire, resulting in a confrontation that ended with all three suspects wounded and arrested. A subsequent search of the premises uncovered firearms and ammunition, which investigators retained as evidence. Authorities did not immediately release the suspects’ names or provide a detailed account of the weapons recovered.
Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya confirmed the arrests and described the confrontation as a major security operation. He said the suspects had been identified during the early stages of the investigation and tracked through coordinated efforts by security agencies. According to the minister, the three men resisted arrest and sustained severe injuries during the exchange of gunfire. Al-Faraya identified them as Jordanian nationals and stated that investigators had not established evidence connecting them to foreign organisations. The authorities are continuing to examine their backgrounds, possible motives and any assistance they may have received before or after the attack. No armed group has publicly claimed responsibility for the church shooting.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II visited victims of the church attack and ordered a strong security response.
King Abdullah II condemned the killings and directed security agencies to take decisive action against those responsible. Following the arrests, the monarch reaffirmed his opposition to extremist violence and warned against attempts to undermine national unity. He had previously visited injured victims receiving treatment in Karak, where he met survivors and expressed sympathy for families affected by the shooting. The king also ordered a review of security procedures to identify possible weaknesses in the response to the attack. His intervention reflects the seriousness with which Jordanian authorities have treated an incident targeting a religious gathering in a country that has generally maintained relatively stable relations among its religious communities.
The attack prompted widespread mourning in Karak, where relatives, religious leaders and community members gathered to remember those killed. Thousands attended funeral ceremonies held on Sunday, October 25, with mourners carrying photographs of the deceased and expressing grief over the loss of family members and neighbours. Greek Orthodox clergy offered prayers for the victims and called for solidarity among Jordanians. Local residents also expressed concern that the shooting could damage longstanding relationships between religious communities. Although the arrests have provided some reassurance, grieving families continue to demand a full explanation of the attack and accountability for those involved.
Greek Orthodox religious leaders and mourners gathered in Karak following the deadly attack on their community.
Jordan has experienced attacks involving armed extremists in the past, although major assaults against religious gatherings remain relatively uncommon. A significant historical incident occurred on December 18, 2016, when gunmen carried out coordinated attacks in and around Karak, including a confrontation at the historic Karak Castle. The violence killed 10 people, including seven police officers, two Jordanian civilians and a Canadian tourist, while four attackers also died. The incident prompted a major security response and exposed the threat posed by armed extremist networks. The latest church shooting has revived memories of that confrontation, raising questions about whether existing intelligence and security arrangements can prevent similar attacks.
The attack has also highlighted the importance of religious coexistence in Jordan, where Christians form a small minority within a predominantly Muslim population. Christian communities have longstanding cultural, historical and religious ties to the country, particularly in areas such as Karak and Amman. The government has traditionally emphasised religious tolerance and the protection of places of worship, making the attack especially disturbing for community leaders. Authorities have warned against attempts to exploit the violence to promote religious divisions. Security officials are expected to examine how the attackers obtained their weapons, selected the funeral gathering and carried out the assault without being intercepted before casualties occurred.
Jordanian authorities have pledged stronger security measures and continued investigations following the arrests.
The arrests represent a significant development in the investigation, but important questions remain unresolved. Investigators have yet to publicly establish the suspects’ motives or determine whether they acted independently or received assistance from other individuals. Officials have stated that no evidence currently links the arrested men to foreign militant organisations, while no group has claimed responsibility. The government is also reviewing broader security procedures and the factors that may contribute to violent extremism. Although the capture of the suspects has been welcomed by some relatives of the victims, the attack has renewed calls for stronger protection of religious gatherings, improved intelligence coordination and measures to prevent further violence.
As of October 26, 2026, Jordanian authorities have confirmed the arrest of three seriously wounded suspects following the deadly church attack that killed nine people and injured around 40 others. The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, and no final judicial determination has been made concerning their criminal responsibility. King Abdullah II has pledged that those responsible will face justice, while security agencies continue examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting. For the grieving families and the wider Christian community, the immediate priorities remain the recovery of injured survivors, accountability for the killings and assurances that religious gatherings can take place safely. The outcome of the investigation will be an important test of Jordan’s ability to address violent extremism while preserving national unity and religious coexistence.
