The shooting at Hamoud Church located in Karak province in southern Jordan resulted in the deaths of seven people and injuries to 34 others. This incident occurred during a funeral ceremony on Friday.
Details of the Shooting Incident
Two men opened fire on participants during the funeral ceremony. A witness told Jordanian state media that between 150 and 200 people were present in the church at the time of the shooting. Videos that have been published online show the injured on the ground and the scene being bloodied, but these images have not yet been verified.
Reactions to the Attack
Jordan's Interior Minister, Mazen Al-Farawneh, announced that a group of "extremists" carried out this attack. According to him, officials have the names of the suspects but currently do not intend to disclose their identities. Jordanian government spokesman, Mohammad Al-Momani, stated that security forces have begun their investigations into this attack.
King Abdullah II of Jordan reacted to this terrorist attack, stating that it would be met with the strongest response. He also added that "those who think they can divide Jordanians with their bullets have no chance against our unity."
The Presidency of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, also condemned this terrorist attack and expressed condolences to the victims. Mike Waltz, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, expressed sorrow over the news of this attack, stating that "attacks against Christians around the world are on the rise and must be stopped."
Similar armed attacks are rare in Jordan. Although Jordan is primarily a Muslim country with a population of about 11.5 million, a small Christian minority lives there. The Karak region, located about 180 kilometers (110 miles) south of Amman, has a significant Christian population.
