Jordanian security forces arrested three members of the same family following a dawn raid and three-hour gun battle in Karak governorate on Monday, concluding a manhunt for the suspects behind a deadly funeral attack on a Greek Orthodox church that killed nine people.
Security Forces Raid Abandoned House in al-Jadeeda
The three suspects hid inside an abandoned house in the village of al-Jadeeda in the Karak governorate following a dawn raid on Monday. According to the state news agency Petra, security forces recovered firearms and ammunition at the hideout.
Major General al-Maaytah Identifies Church Attack Suspects
Public Security Director Major General Obaidullah al-Maaytah identified the three detained men during a Monday news conference, stating they belonged to the same family. Officials confirmed all three are Jordanian citizens.
The arrests follow an assault on St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Hammoud during a funeral on Friday. Armed men stormed the compound, killing nine people and wounding more than two dozen. Security camera footage broadcast by Al-Mamlaka TV captured three individuals shooting outside the structure and targeting people trying to flee.
Jordanian Officials Respond to Funeral Massacre
Eight of the victims were laid to rest on Sunday in Karak amid a heavy security presence. Karak sits within a region that is home to a minority Christian community in the Muslim-majority kingdom, where Christians make up between 2 and 3 percent of the population.
The Public Security Directorate said the three suspects were arrested following a dawn shootout and that all three were wounded. No members of the security forces were injured in the dawn operation in Karak governorate, south of Jordan’s capital, Amman.
King Abdullah II directed authorities to respond against the outlaws of Islam and anyone attempting to undermine the unity of the Jordanian people. Government Minister Mohammad Al-Momani stated that the tragedy will be translated into practical measures to protect citizens, while calling to reject violence and extremism.
