At least 7 people killed in unprecedented shooting at church in Jordan

Seven Killed in Church Attack That Shocks Jordan

Activelifezero.com – At least seven people were killed and 40 others wounded when gunmen opened fire at a church gathering in Jordan’s southern Karak province, an attack officials described as terrorism and an extraordinary act of violence in a country where sectarian assaults are rare.

The shooting took place in the town of Hmoud as mourners gathered at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church for the funeral of a member of the local Christian community. Jordan’s public security agency said the attackers had not been identified or captured by Friday afternoon.

Authorities revised the casualty figures several times as details emerged from the scene. Health Minister Ibrahim al-Budour said two people injured in the attack were in critical condition.

Attackers Fired for Several Minutes

Witnesses described a prolonged assault that began outside the church and then moved toward its courtyard, where many attendees were gathered. Security-camera video shared online appeared to show three armed men firing on a street before moving in the direction of the church.

Tamer Halasa, who witnessed the violence, said men had been standing outside when two people left a vehicle and began shooting. He said more than 150 people had been inside and around the church at the time.

“We were more than 150 people inside and outside the church.”

One witness said an attacker carried an AK-47-style assault rifle and that gunfire continued for several minutes. Another survivor said the assailants shouted “Allahu Akbar” while firing toward the courtyard.

She described taking cover behind the altar with other mourners as shots rang out.

“It was a massacre … I did not imagine I would get out alive.”

The survivor said the targets were people who had gathered to mourn, adding that she had never expected such an event to occur in Jordan.

“They struck people who were gathered to grieve and mourn.”

Jordanian Leaders Promise Response

King Abdullah condemned what he called a terrorist act and pledged a forceful response against those responsible. In a message posted on X, the king stressed that the country would not tolerate attacks on its people.

“The blood of Jordanians is precious, and we will strike those who transgress against this country with an iron fist.”

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan said government agencies were working to find and prosecute those behind the shooting. He linked the violence to extremist ideology rooted in takfir, the practice of declaring others to be unbelievers.

“What happened in Karak was the result of extremist terrorist ideology rooted in takfir (declaring others to be infidels), and we will not allow society to go down this path.”

Hassan declared three days of national mourning. Flags will be lowered to half-staff at government and public buildings during that period.

A Community With Deep Roots

Hmoud has had a predominantly Christian population for centuries. Christians account for about 2% of Jordan’s overall population, and the attack has carried particular weight because intercommunal violence is uncommon in the kingdom.

The assault also struck at a gathering centered on mourning and community support. Churches and funeral services are places where extended families, friends and neighbors often come together, making the number of people present at St. George’s especially significant.

Jordanian officials and regional figures moved quickly to condemn the shooting, framing it as an attack not only on victims and their families but also on the country’s social cohesion.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem offered condolences to the relatives and loved ones of those killed, to residents of Hmoud and to everyone affected by the violence. The patriarchate, which serves Catholics in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan and Cyprus, emphasized unity as protection against extremism.

“The national cohesion of the Jordanian people serves as a vital safeguard against terrorism, extremism, and any attempts to sow division or discord.”

Al-Azhar Institute in Cairo, one of Sunni Islam’s leading centers of learning, also denounced the attack. Its Grand Imam, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, said the killings violated the values shared by the Abrahamic faiths.

“This crime contradicts the teachings of the Abrahamic religions and reveals that its perpetrators are devoid of all compassion, humanity and morality.”

Iraq’s government said the attack underscored the destructive nature of terrorism, noting that Iraqis had experienced and confronted such violence with determination and strength.

Security Presence Expected to Increase

The United States Embassy in Jordan extended condolences to victims and survivors and expressed solidarity with King Abdullah. It advised American citizens to expect increased police deployment in several areas, including shopping malls and foreign embassies in Amman.

The embassy urged people to remain cautious and to follow developments issued by Jordanian authorities, including the Directorate of Public Security.

As the investigation continues, the central questions remain who carried out the shooting, whether the attackers acted as part of a wider network and how they were able to target a crowded church gathering. For residents of Karak and Jordan’s Christian community, the immediate focus is on the dead, the wounded and the families confronting an attack that shattered a funeral gathering.