Jordan captures three suspects in Karak church shooting
Security forces detained the armed men after a three-hour standoff in an abandoned house, days after they killed eight people at a funeral.
By Rebecca Caldwell ·
Jordanian security forces arrested three armed suspects on Monday following a three-hour confrontation in Karak governorate. The suspects were hiding in an abandoned house in the village of Al-Jadeeda. They refused to surrender and opened fire on security personnel. Forces returned fire and wounded all three men before taking them into custody.
The Public Security Directorate said the suspects were located after days of searching. A government source noted that the attackers sustained serious injuries during the fight. One suspect is in critical condition. Security officials reported no casualties among their own ranks. A search of the site turned up firearms and live ammunition, according to Petra News Agency.
The arrests follow an attack on Friday when three gunmen opened fire at a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hamoud. The location is approximately 120 kilometers southwest of Amman. The Ministry of Health reported that the shooting killed eight people and injured 40 others. As of Monday, 27 injured people remained in hospital.
The director of Prince Ali Military Hospital in Karak stated that one patient was in critical condition after undergoing surgery. The attack targeted a gathering in a region home to many members of Jordan's Christian minority. This group represents about 300,000 of the country's 11.5 million residents.
Government Communication Minister Mohammad Momani praised the security forces for a successful joint operation. He confirmed that the three suspects were injured and detained after refusing to give up. The Public Security Directorate released a statement saying terrorism has no place in Jordan. It added that the suspects met their just fate without naming specific affiliated groups.
King Abdullah II said the perpetrators would face the harshest penalties. He offered condolences to the families of the victims and ordered a review of national security procedures for responding to attacks. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said authorities are reviewing the circumstances that lead young people to embrace violence. He stated that anyone found to have participated in the attack will be held accountable.
Source: Al Jazeera
