Three arrests made after deadly church attack in Jordan

Jordan has made three arrests following a deadly shooting at a church during a funeral. Seven people died and 40 were injured in Friday’s attack at the Church of Saint George in the village of Hammoud, in Karak governorate. Two people later succumbed to their injuries, bringing the death toll to nine over the weekend.

Jordanian security forces arrested three armed suspects in Karak after a shootout on Monday, Reuters reports. Jordan has blamed the attack on “extremist terrorists,” although no group has so far claimed responsibility.

The country, which is a key US ally in the region, declared three days of national mourning following the tragedy and vowed that the perpetrators would receive the “harshest retaliation.”

Rev Botrus Mansour, Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), condemned the attack as he asked Christians to pray for victims’ families, the injured, and for Jordan. “The WEA rejects, without qualification, all forms of violence and any assault on the God-given right to life and personal security, regardless of any claimed motives or justifications,” he said.

He continued, “We pray that God may protect all, grant wisdom to the country’s leaders and its security services, and sustain the blessing of security and stability in Jordan. In line with the values of faith, justice, and peace, the WEA emphasizes that Jordan’s national unity and social cohesion are foundational to preserving stability and safeguarding social security.”

Pope Leo XIV prayed for the victims of the attack following his weekly Angelus on Sunday. “I am close to that community and to the entire country, which stands out for its peaceful coexistence and respect among different religions,” he said.

Patriarch Theophilos III and Metropolitan Christophoros of Jordan condemned the attack in a joint statement, calling it a “vile, cowardly, and bloody act.” They vowed that it would not be allowed to undermine unity in Jordan. “Despite the immense pain felt throughout all of Jordan, and by all honorable people across the world, this abhorrent, bloody act will not be allowed to undermine the unity of the nation,” they said.

Source: Read the original report