Jordan; United Nations: Seven people were killed and dozens injured after gunmen opened fire during a funeral service at a church in Jordan's Karak governorate on Friday, authorities said. The attack prompted three days of national mourning and condemnation from the United Nations and King Abdullah II.
The shooting took place at a Greek Orthodox church in the Hamoud area of Karak, about 180 kilometres south of the capital, Amman. The attack targeted a funeral service in an area with a minority Christian population.
Authorities gave differing figures for the number of injured. The initial account reported 40 wounded, while the head of Jordan's Public Security Directorate said 34 people had been injured.
Footage broadcast on Jordanian state television showed two gunmen, apparently carrying pistols, approaching the church and firing shots. A third man, who appeared to be carrying a semi-automatic rifle, then approached and opened fire. All three were seen running towards the church.
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A government statement said the attack was “carried out by unknown assailants” and added that “investigations are underway at full speed”. Authorities did not immediately say whether any gunmen had been captured or killed.
General Abdallah al-Maaytah, head of the Public Security Directorate, said at a press conference in Karak that most of the injured were still receiving treatment and that the search for the attackers was continuing.
Jordan declares national mourning
Jordan declared three days of national mourning following the attack, according to the kingdom's Petra News Agency.
King Abdullah II said on X that Jordan “will confront the terrorist act that targeted Karak with the harshest penalties”. He also offered his “deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs, and our wishes for recovery to the wounded”.
سنواجه العمل الإرهابي الذي استهدف الكرك بأشد العقوبات. ومن توهم أن رصاص الغدر يشق صف الأردنيين، خاب مسعاه أمام صلابتنا ووحدتنا. جميع الأردنيين من شمال الوطن لجنوبه شركاء الأرض والموقف ولن ينفذ بينهما غدر. أحر التعازي لذوي الشهداء وأمنياتنا بالشفاء للمصابيندم الأردني غالي، وسنضرب بيد من حديد من تطاول على هذا البلد
— عبدالله بن الحسين (@KingAbdullahII) October 23, 2026
The king visited hospital to meet those injured and assured them of all possible assistance.
Prime Minister Jafar Hassan said during a security meeting in Karak on Friday evening that the attack stemmed from terrorist ideology and blind extremism. He said the assailants would be punished and legal measures would be taken against those seeking to introduce extremism.
United Nations condemns attack
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attack, describing it as particularly heinous because it targeted both a place of worship and a funeral procession.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters at the organisation's headquarters that Guterres had extended condolences to the victims' families and wished those injured a speedy recovery. The secretary-general also called for those responsible to be found and held accountable.
The shooting was described as a rare attack targeting Jordan's Christian minority.
(With inputs from Reuters and AFP via PTI)
