Daijiworld Media Network - Amman
Amman, Oct 24: At least seven people were killed and 40 others injured after gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, southern Jordan, on Friday, authorities said. Two of the injured are in critical condition.
The attack took place in Karak, around 180 kilometres south of the capital, Amman. Jordanian state television broadcast footage showing two men apparently carrying pistols approaching the church and opening fire. A third man, seemingly armed with a semiautomatic rifle, then joined them before all three moved towards the church.
Witnesses also recorded footage showing broken glass and blood on the church floor following the shooting.
Dorgham Halasa, who was attending the funeral, said heavy gunfire erupted about 15 minutes after the ceremony began, prompting mourners to flee in panic. He said he did not see the attackers but was told by others that four gunmen may have been involved. The Associated Press could not independently verify the number of assailants, and security officials had not immediately released further details.
A government statement described the incident as an attack carried out by unidentified assailants and said investigations were progressing rapidly. Authorities did not immediately confirm whether any suspects had been arrested or killed.
Jordan declared three days of national mourning following the incident, according to the state-run Petra News Agency.
Health Minister Ibrahim al-Budour said two of the injured remained in critical condition. King Abdullah II condemned the attack and pledged severe punishment for those responsible, while extending condolences to the victims' families and wishing the wounded a speedy recovery.
Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, speaking during a security meeting in Karak on Friday evening, attributed the attack to extremist ideology and said those responsible would face punishment under the law. He also stressed that legal action would be taken against individuals seeking to promote extremism.
The shooting drew condemnation from across the region, including Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Oman. Ahmed al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Cairo, described the incident as a heinous terrorist attack and offered condolences to the victims' families.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein also expressed solidarity with Jordan in its fight against terrorism during a telephone conversation with his Jordanian counterpart.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack, describing violence during a funeral as particularly heinous. His spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said the UN chief had called for those responsible to be identified and held accountable.
Karak, which has a minority Christian population, has witnessed deadly violence in the past. In 2016, gunmen carried out a series of attacks in the city, including at a Crusader castle popular with tourists, killing 10 people, among them seven police officers, and injuring dozens. Jordanian security forces subsequently killed the attackers following a prolonged standoff.