Seven people were killed and at least 34 others injured during a shooting at a church funeral in Hmoud, located in Jordan’s Karak governorate, on Friday. The attack, carried out by unidentified gunmen who reportedly arrived in a car, has prompted a swift response from Jordanian authorities, who are now pursuing the assailants described as a “group of extremists.”
Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya confirmed the details of the incident during a news conference, emphasizing the government’s commitment to apprehending those responsible. He characterized the shooting as “painful and horrific,” noting that it was “unparalleled in the history of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.”
Witnesses reported that two attackers armed with a rifle and a pistol opened fire on mourners inside the church, creating chaos during the funeral service. Khaled Burqan, a mourner present at the scene, described the harrowing moments as the gunmen fired for several minutes.
In response to the attack, King Abdullah II condemned the violence, vowing that the authorities would confront the perpetrators with the “harshest penalties.” He expressed solidarity with the victims and their families, stating, “Whoever imagines that the bullets of treachery can divide the ranks of Jordanians will fail in his endeavour before our steadfastness and unity.”
Public service television station al-Mamlaka reported that King Abdullah visited Karak on Friday evening to check on the condition of the injured. The incident has raised concerns about security in Jordan, a country that has largely been seen as stable in a turbulent region.
As investigations continue, the government is under pressure to enhance security measures and prevent such attacks in the future. The shooting has shocked the local community and the nation, prompting discussions about extremism and public safety.
For further details, refer to BBC News.
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