King Abdullah Vows 'Harshest Retaliation' After Deadly Church Attack in Jordan

Six people were killed and 28 others injured on Friday when gunmen opened fire during a funeral service at a church in Jordan's Karak governorate. The Public Security Directorate of Jordan confirmed the casualties in a statement. King Abdullah II of Jordan swiftly condemned the incident, labeling it a “terrorist” act. Security forces were dispatched to the church and were actively pursuing the suspects, according to state-owned Al Mamlaka TV. Karak is known to be home to a Christian minority within the Muslim-majority kingdom.

King Abdullah declared that the attack would be met with the “harshest retaliation,” vowing to take decisive action against those responsible and emphasizing that the shooting would not compromise national unity. “The terrorist attack against Karak will be met with the harshest retaliation,” he stated on X. “Those who delude themselves into thinking that they can divide Jordanians with their bullets have no chance in the face of our unity. All Jordanians, from north to south, are partners in land and fate, and nothing stands between them. Every Jordanian life is precious, and we will strike with an iron fist against those who dare to threaten our nation.” The King also extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a swift recovery to the injured.

Witnesses reported that the gunmen arrived in a vehicle and fired upon mourners before fleeing. A relative of one of the victims told The National that the shooting continued for approximately five minutes. The witness, quoted by Al Mamlaka TV, indicated that between 150 and 200 individuals were present at or near the church during the attack, with most victims being between 50 and 70 years old. A member of the Halasah family in Karak informed The National that three doctors were among those killed, adding, “This was a direct attack on the church. Christians were the target.” Al Mamlaka had initially reported higher casualty figures, stating at least seven people were killed and over 10 wounded.

No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, and Jordanian authorities have not identified any perpetrators. Such incidents are uncommon in Jordan, a country known for its relative stability. The kingdom hosts several biblical sites that attract Christian pilgrims globally. Karak is situated approximately 100 kilometers from the capital, Amman.