Jordanian security forces launched a manhunt across Karak governorate after Friday’s deadly church funeral shooting, with officials vowing that the perpetrators will be caught. The Jordan manhunt followed an attack that killed seven people and wounded dozens at a Greek Orthodox church in Hamoud village.
Public Security Director Obaidullah Al-Maaytah pledged that national unity will not be hit, according to Independent Press. He said the search for the gunmen was ongoing and that security personnel had been deployed across the area.
King Abdullah vows harshest response
King Abdullah II strongly condemned the attack and vowed that those responsible would face severe punishment, according to Himalini and other reports. The country’s prime minister was to chair a Security Council meeting attended by ministers, officials said.
Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya described the perpetrators as extremists, officials said. Minister of Government Communications Mohammed Al-Momani urged the public to rely on verified information from official sources while investigations continued.
Security forces were deployed to the church and surrounding villages, state media reported. Investigators were reviewing security camera footage, including material published by Al Arabiya showing attackers approaching the church.
Community in shock after rare attack
Officials said Jordan has never seen an attack quite like this one, with al-Faraya calling it unprecedented. Jordanians have never seen something like this before, he said, according to Independent Press.
Witness accounts differed on the exact number of attackers, with some reports citing two gunmen and footage suggesting three, officials said. The Associated Press said it could not independently verify the number of assailants.
Authorities said the investigation would establish identities, motive and whether any wider network was involved. Until then, officials urged calm and warned against speculation that could inflame communal tensions in Karak.
Officials said checkpoints and patrols would remain around Karak until suspects were found, and they asked anyone with video, vehicle details or information about strangers in the area on Friday to contact police directly rather than posting unverified claims that could hinder the investigation or inflame tensions.
