The Jordanian government condemned the attack as a terrorist act targeting the country’s Christian community, describing it as a rare and tragic incident. Security forces have launched a nationwide manhunt to track down those responsible.
CCTV footage broadcast by Jordan’s state television channel Al-Mamlaka showed at least three gunmen firing indiscriminately towards the church from behind a security barrier and trees along the pavement before moving towards the entrance.
Khaled Burqan, a witness, said a large number of people had gathered for the funeral when the attackers opened fire for several minutes. Videos circulated on social media showed bloodstains on the floor near the church entrance.
King Abdullah II visited Karak shortly after the attack and vowed a strong response. Condemning the violence, he said those seeking to divide Jordanians through bullets would fail in the face of the country’s unity, adding that the perpetrators would be dealt with firmly.
Major General Abdullah Al-Maitah, head of the Public Security Directorate, and Interior Minister Mazin Al-Faraya said at a joint news conference that the attack appeared to have been carried out by extremists. However, an investigation is underway to determine whether any domestic or international militant group was directly involved.
Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan wrote on X that the attack reflected blind extremism and a terrorist ideology, stressing that society would not be allowed to follow such a path.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attack, saying violence against civilians and places of worship was completely unacceptable. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz also described the incident as a “barbaric and heinous attack.”
Christians make up a small proportion of Jordan’s population. Although the country is relatively peaceful and stable compared with several others in the Middle East, its security forces have repeatedly said they have thwarted attacks by Islamist extremists in recent years.
No group had claimed responsibility for the attack at the time of reporting.
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