Karak Church Attack: Three Family Members Captured After Three-Hour Gun Battle

Jordanian security forces arrested three men on Monday morning after a three-hour shootout in the village of al-Jadeeda. The suspects, who are from the same family, were hiding in an abandoned house about six minutes by car from the site of the deadly church attack in Karak governorate.

The three men refused to surrender and opened fire on police when they arrived. Security forces returned fire, sustaining severe injuries to the suspects, including one who was critically wounded. Authorities recovered firearms and ammunition from the hideout during the operation.

Interior Minister Mazin al-Farrayeh confirmed on Monday that all three suspects are Jordanians. He stated they were identified early in the investigation and that security services used all available means to apprehend them. A senior security official told journalists that the group includes two brothers. Officials said no ties to other armed groups had been found.

The raid followed an attack on St George’s Church in the village of Hamoud on Friday. Armed men stormed the compound during a funeral procession. Eight people were killed and 34 others were wounded in the incident, which occurred in a region known for its medieval-era castle. King Abdullah II ordered a strong response, describing the security of Jordanians as a "red line."

The Public Security Directorate did not name the suspects or identify specific affiliations. Al-Farrayeh described the perpetrators as "extremists" with "no relationship to humanity." No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The ministry said investigations remain ongoing and that everyone involved in the terrorist act will be taken to justice.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan ordered three days of national mourning beginning on Friday. Flags were flown at half-mast over government and public institutions. Eight victims were buried in Karak on Sunday in a funeral attended by a large crowd. Their coffins were draped with Jordanian flags and carried through the mourners under heavy security.

Jordan has a Christian minority population estimated between 2 percent and 3 percent of the total population. Al-Farrayeh posted on social media that the government is examining circumstances that lead young people toward extremism. He urged citizens to remain calm and reject violence, promising practical measures to protect civilians.