Jordan arrests three relatives after three-hour firefight linked to church attack

Jordanian security forces detained three men on Monday in an abandoned house in the village of al-Jadeeda, ending a three-hour exchange of gunfire. The arrests mark the first major step in the investigation into Friday’s attack on St George’s Church in Hamoud, which left eight people dead and 34 injured. Officials stated that the suspects are Jordanian nationals and members of a single family, including two brothers. They were identified early in the probe and were found hiding in the structure, which is located six minutes from the church.

Interior Minister Mazin al-Farrayeh described the operation as a response to the men’s refusal to surrender. He said the suspects put up fierce resistance and attacked officers before being subdued. The Public Security Directorate reported that one suspect sustained critical injuries during the firefight. State news agency Petra confirmed that firearms and ammunition were recovered from the hideout. Al-Farrayeh added that security teams had raided several locations before surrounding the final suspect group.

The attack occurred during a funeral procession when armed men stormed the church compound. Security camera footage shows three individuals firing outside the building and pursuing a group of men who attempted to flee. King Abdullah II ordered a decisive response to what he called an attack on the country’s Christian minority. Speaking at a National Security Council meeting on Saturday, the king declared that the safety of Jordanians is a red line. He promised that the hand of justice would reach every terrorist involved in the incident.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan declared three days of national mourning beginning Friday. Flags were lowered to half-mast over government and public institutions across the kingdom. The eight victims were buried in Karak on Sunday in a funeral that drew a large crowd. Coffins draped in Jordanian flags were carried through mourners under heavy security. Among those shown in images circulating on social media was Mohammad al-Qasous, a Christian.

Al-Farrayeh stated that authorities have not linked the suspects to any external armed group. No organization has claimed responsibility for the massacre. In a post on social media, the minister said officials are examining the circumstances that drive young people toward extremism. He urged citizens to remain calm and reject violence. The investigation continues as authorities seek to identify all parties involved in the planning and execution of the attack.

The attack targeted a village known for its medieval-era castle. Karak holds a notable Christian community within a Muslim-majority nation where Christians comprise between two and three percent of the population. Al-Farrayeh called the attackers extremists with no relationship to humanity. He stated that the tragedy would lead to practical measures to protect civilians. The government remains committed to ensuring that a similar attack does not occur again.