Jordanian police cornered gunmen in abandoned house

Jordanian security forces detained three armed men on Monday in connection with a shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak governorate.

The incident occurred on Friday during a funeral in the village of Hamoud, located roughly 120 kilometres southwest of Amman. The attack resulted in nine deaths and 40 injuries. Witnesses reported that gunfire continued for several minutes before stopping.

The Public Security Directorate stated that officers found the suspects hiding in an abandoned house in Karak. The men refused to surrender and opened fire on security personnel. Forces returned the fire, wounding all three suspects before taking them into custody. No security personnel were injured in the exchange. Officers recovered multiple firearms and ammunition from the suspects.

Authorities have classified the attack as the work of "extremist terrorists," although no group has claimed responsibility. The directorate did not release the names of the suspects or identify specific ties to Islamist militant organizations. In a statement, the directorate declared that "Terrorism has no place among us" and said the suspects met their "just fate."

King Abdullah has ordered security forces to respond with an "iron fist" to the assault. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya stated that authorities are examining circumstances that pushed young people toward extremism. He added that anyone found to have participated in the attack would be held accountable.

Jordan is considered one of the more stable countries in the Middle East, though officials have previously broken up several Islamist militant plots. The attack on the Christian minority remains a rare occurrence in the country.