On Friday, Jordan’s interior ministry reported that a group labeled as “extremists” launched an attack on St. George’s Greek Orthodox church located in the southern al-Karak governorate. The incident resulted in the deaths of at least seven individuals and left 34 others injured.
Eyewitness accounts relayed to Jordanian state media indicated that a vehicle dropped off the assailants near the church, where around 150 to 200 worshippers were attending. The gunmen reportedly fired relentlessly for about five minutes before fleeing the scene.
Local news sources mentioned that two or three attackers armed with rifles and pistols were behind the violence. Security footage from the church captured images of three individuals shooting at the building from behind the cover of nearby trees and a low wall.
Karak is known for its historic Christian community, which represents a minority in the largely Muslim nation. According to Vatican News, Christian groups, including the Greek Orthodox, significantly contribute to the region’s religious and cultural identity. Overall, Jordan is home to approximately 300,000 Christians amidst a population of 11.5 million.
As reported by the BBC, the church in the village of Hmoud was conducting a funeral at the time of the attack, which the Jordanian government condemned as a “heinous act.”
Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya expressed that “Jordanians reject this cowardly terrorist act,” asserting that it would only bolster the nation’s efforts against all forms of terrorism.
King Abdullah II of Jordan swiftly denounced the incident as a “terrorist attack” via social media, promising severe retaliation. He stated, “Those who delude themselves into thinking that they can divide Jordanians with their bullets have no chance against our unity. All Jordanians, from north to south, share the land and fate together.”
The king also extended his condolences to the victims’ families, vowing to use an “iron fist” against those who threaten the nation’s security.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, the only Christian leader among Arab states, also condemned the “heinous terrorist attack,” emphasizing that such violence reveals terrorism’s lack of boundaries and its aim to disrupt coexistence.
The attack received condemnations from the governments of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, along with Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh.
The Anti-Defamation League described the act as “an assault of pure hatred,” reiterating a commitment to uphold the right for individuals to practice their faith without fear. Nadine Maenza, who co-chairs the ADL’s Task Force on Middle East Minorities, expressed condolences for the families affected by this senseless violence.
Additionally, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned the “vile, cowardly, and bloody act,” expressing confidence that Jordan’s security services would effectively respond to the perpetrators. The Patriarchate affirmed that such abhorrent acts would not weaken national unity but instead might strengthen the bond between Christians and Muslims in Jordan.
Despite the challenges faced, the statement emphasized the commitment to remaining in the land and being part of its history, future, and faith.
While mass-casualty attacks are relatively rare in Jordan, Karak was the site of a deadly siege in 2016, which involved an Islamic State assault that resulted in ten fatalities, including that of a Canadian tourist.
