Amman: Jordanian security forces have arrested three suspects in connection with a shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in southern Jordan that killed nine people and wounded dozens, according to official reports on Monday.
The suspects were arrested during a security operation in Karak governorate in the early hours of Monday. Jordan's Public Security Directorate said security forces located the three men inside an abandoned house. According to the authorities, the men opened fire when officers ordered them to surrender, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
All three suspects were wounded during the operation and taken into custody. No security personnel were injured, according to the official account. Firearms and ammunition were also recovered from the location.
The attack took place on Friday, October 23, during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Hamoud village in Karak governorate. The death toll later rose to nine as the authorities continued to assess the impact of the shooting.
Reports differ on the number of people wounded. Reuters reported 40 injured, while Jordan's official news agency gave a figure of 34 in its announcement of the arrests. The latest reports reviewed have not resolved the discrepancy.
Jordanian authorities have described the shooting as an act of extremist terrorism. However, the identities of the three suspects, their individual roles in the attack and their possible links to any organised group have not been fully disclosed publicly. No group had claimed responsibility in the reports available on Monday.
Interior Minister Mazen Al Faraya said authorities had identified the suspects shortly after the attack. Their arrests followed security and investigative efforts to locate those believed to be involved.
The authorities have not publicly released detailed information about the evidence against each suspect. The motive behind the shooting and whether the men had links to an extremist organisation also remain unclear.
The attack shocked communities across Jordan, where Muslims and Christians have long lived together. The shooting at a place of worship during a funeral has raised concerns about security at religious sites and the safety of people attending public gatherings.
King Abdullah II chaired a National Security Council meeting on Saturday, October 24, following the attack. He condemned the violence and called for those responsible to be held accountable. The King also stressed the importance of national unity and a firm response to those involved.
Prime Minister Jafar Hassan also condemned the attack and attended funeral ceremonies on Sunday on behalf of the King. The government announced three days of national mourning following the shooting.
Large crowds gathered in Hamoud village on Sunday to mourn the victims. The funerals brought together families and community members as Jordan continued to grieve the loss of life.
Jordanian officials and religious representatives have urged people to stand together following the attack. Mohammad Khalayleh, the minister responsible for Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites, described the incident as a national tragedy and called for unity between Muslims and Christians.
Jordan is a Muslim majority country with a Christian minority that has a longstanding presence in its society. The attack has renewed attention to the protection of religious communities and the importance of preventing violence from creating divisions within the country.
Earlier reports said security had been increased at selected locations, including shopping centres and foreign embassies in Amman. The measures followed the attack as authorities sought to strengthen public safety.
The arrests represent an important development in the investigation, but several questions remain unanswered. Authorities have not yet provided detailed information about the suspects or publicly confirmedwhether others were involved.
Investigators are continuing their work to determine the circumstances of the shooting, establish the motive and assess any possible links to wider extremist networks. The appropriate judicial process will determine the suspects' legal responsibility.