King Abdullah Orders Harshest Penalties After Seven Killed in Karak Church Shooting

King Abdullah II of Jordan directed authorities to impose the harshest penalties on the perpetrators of a shooting at a church in Karak. The attack occurred on Friday at a Greek Orthodox congregation, resulting in seven deaths and 40 injuries.

The assault targeted a funeral service taking place in the town, which is located approximately 90 kilometers south of the capital, Amman. State television footage captured the moment two men carrying pistols approached the building and began firing. A third individual, armed with a semiautomatic rifle, followed them and discharged his weapon before all three entered the structure. Witnesses recorded video of shattered glass and blood on the church floor in the aftermath.

Dorgham Halasa, a mourner present inside the church, described the scene as the gunfire erupted roughly 15 minutes after the service began. He reported hearing heavy shots and observing people fleeing the area. While Halasa did not see the attackers himself, he relayed that other attendees counted four individuals. The government stated that the assault was carried out by unknown assailants and that investigations were proceeding at full speed. Health Minister Ibrahim al-Budour noted that two of the injured patients are in critical condition.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan addressed a security meeting in Karak on Friday evening. He characterized the incident as an act of terrorist ideology and blind extremism. Hassan confirmed that legal measures would be taken against those seeking to introduce such views, and he promised that the attackers would be punished. The kingdom has declared three days of national mourning in response to the violence.

Regional leaders reacted to the news with condolences and condemnations. Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, labeled the shooting a heinous terrorist attack. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein spoke with his Jordanian counterpart to affirm solidarity. In Cairo, Lebanese, Syrian, Egyptian, and Omani officials also expressed their grief.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement through his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric. Guterres described the attack as especially heinous because it occurred during a funeral. He called for all responsible parties to be identified and held to account.

Karak maintains a minority Christian population and has experienced deadly violence in the past. In 2016, gunmen attacked police and a Crusader castle in the town, killing ten people and wounding dozens. Security forces ended that incident after a prolonged standoff with the shooters.