Three suspects captured after three-hour standoff in Karak

Three hours of gunfire marked the end of a manhunt in Karak governorate on Monday morning. Jordanian security forces captured three suspects linked to the fatal attack on a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hamoud. The confrontation took place in an abandoned house in the nearby village of al-Jadeeda, which sits six minutes from the crime scene.

Interior Minister Mazin al-Farrayeh stated that the three detainees are Jordanians and members of the same family, including two brothers. He noted that the suspects were identified early in the investigation but resisted capture. The minister said the men "put up fierce resistance against the security forces, but were ultimately subdued and taken into custody, having sustained severe injuries." One suspect was critically wounded during the raid.

The Public Security Directorate reported that the suspects refused to surrender and opened fire on the responding officers. Security forces recovered firearms and ammunition from the hideout. Al-Farrayeh said multiple locations were searched before the final operation surrounded the suspects. He added that authorities have not yet found ties between the suspects and other armed groups.

The initial attack occurred on Friday during a funeral procession at St George's Church in Hamoud. Armed men stormed the compound, killing at least eight people and wounding 34 others. Security camera footage released by Al-Mamlaka TV showed three individuals shooting outside the church and targeting men fleeing the building. Authorities labeled the perpetrators "extremist terrorists," though no group has claimed responsibility for the incident.

King Abdullah II ordered security forces to respond with an "iron fist" to the attack. He told the National Security Council on Saturday that the security of Jordanians is a "red line" and that the "hand of justice will reach every terrorist." Prime Minister Jafar Hassan ordered three days of national mourning beginning Friday, with flags flown at half-mast over government institutions.

The eight victims were buried in Karak on Sunday. Their coffins were draped in Jordanian flags as a large crowd gathered for the funeral under heavy security. Al-Farrayeh said on Monday that investigations continue and that "everyone who has been part of this terrorist act, will be taken to justice." He emphasized that Jordan is "adamant that an attack like this doesn't take place again."