Jordan’s king orders forceful response after church funeral attack kills eight

Amman, Jordan. King Abdullah instructed Jordanian security forces on Saturday to respond with an “iron fist” while authorities hunted gunmen responsible for killing eight people at a church funeral. The attack on Friday also left 40 people wounded.

Security increased across Jordan

The gunmen shot for several minutes during daylight at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak governorate, in an unusual assault targeting the country’s Christian minority.

The US embassy in Amman reported heightened security at shopping malls, foreign diplomatic missions and other sites throughout Jordan. Reuters footage showed police on patrol on Saturday outside Saint George’s Greek Orthodox church, roughly 120 km (75 miles) southwest of Amman.

King condemns attack as investigation continues

According to the royal court, Abdullah described the assault as a “despicable terrorist act” while leading a meeting of the National Security Council. He said protecting Jordanian lives left no scope for leniency.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan attributed the violence to terrorist ideology and blind extremism in a post on X, saying the government would not let society follow that course.

No group immediately claimed responsibility. Officials said they could not yet establish whether the gunmen were connected to known organisations within Jordan or abroad.

Jordan is a key US partner in efforts to combat militant groups. Authorities say they have prevented several Islamist plots over recent years.

Families confront the aftermath

Speaking at a hospital treating those wounded, Tarek Ammarin repeatedly characterised the attack as a massacre. One of his relatives was among the injured.

Christians constitute a minority in Jordan, which has several biblical locations drawing Christian pilgrims from across the globe.