Jordan identifies suspects in Karak church attack, all from one family

Jordan’s Public Security Directorate has announced the arrest of three suspects in connection with the armed attack on St. George Church in Karak governorate, southern Jordan, which left nine people dead and 25 injured during a funeral service held inside the church on Friday. Authorities revealed the identities of the suspects, confirming they are Jordanians from the same family.

Public Security Director Major General Abdullah Al-Maaytah said at a press conference that the attackers were Hazaa Zaidan Mohammed, his brother Mishaal Zaidan Mohammed, and their relative by marriage Ahmad Sami Hussein. He explained that they reside near the town of Hammoud, where the attack took place. Al-Maaytah accused the three of adopting extremist ideology, describing the incident as a "terrorist attack."

The Public Security Directorate stated that security forces located the suspects early Monday in an abandoned house in a residential building in the village of Al-Jadida, Karak, following continuous search operations after their escape from the scene.

The suspects reportedly refused to surrender and opened fire on security personnel, prompting the forces to respond according to engagement rules. The site was secured and all suspects were apprehended after being wounded, with no injuries reported among the security forces.

Authorities seized firearms and ammunition at the location where the suspects had barricaded themselves. Jordanian state television reported that the operation was carried out by specialized investigation and raid teams as part of a joint security effort. According to Jordanian media, the standoff lasted about three hours before the suspects were captured.

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On Friday, three gunmen attacked mourners attending a funeral at St. George Church in the village of Hammoud, opening fire and killing nine people and injuring 25 before fleeing the scene.

Following the incident, the Jordanian government vowed to hold those responsible accountable and pledged to take measures to strengthen security and combat extremism, confirming that the "three terrorists" are Jordanian nationals.