Three suspects arrested after Karak church attack in Jordan

Jordanian security forces arrested three suspects on Monday morning in connection with the attack on St. George Church in Karak province, according to state television.

The broadcaster reported that specialized investigation and raid teams carried out a joint security operation that led to the arrest of the three suspects, all of whom were injured during the operation.

The security operation followed Friday’s attack in the village of Hamoud in southern Jordan, which left nine people dead and 25 others injured.

The operation lasted three hours and involved a series of raids, searches, and sweeps conducted by specialized teams immediately after the incident, once the suspects were located in an abandoned house in Karak.

Jordan’s Public Security Directorate announced that a cache of firearms and ammunition was seized at the suspects’ location, noting that search operations continued from the moment of the crime until their arrest.

A statement from the Public Security Directorate said the group was confronted and apprehended by the security forces.

Jordanian Minister of Interior Mazen Al-Faraya said the security services arrested the attackers after fierce resistance, adding that significant operational and intelligence efforts were made to identify the three suspects, who were known to authorities from the outset.

Al-Faraya added that the suspects were found inside a building in Karak city near the scene of the attack, and that they sustained serious injuries to various parts of their bodies.

On Friday, three gunmen described by authorities as "extremists" opened fire on mourners at St. George Church in the village of Hamoud, Karak province, killing nine people and injuring 25 before fleeing the scene.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II described the incident as a "terrorist" attack and vowed the perpetrators would face "the harshest penalties."

Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan also announced three days of national mourning across the kingdom.