Jordan Arrests Three Suspects over Church Shooting
Jordanian security forces have arrested three suspects in connection with a shooting at a Greek Orthodox church that killed at least nine people and injured 25 others.
“Following a joint security operation, specialised investigators and an arrest team detained three terrorists responsible for the cowardly terrorist attack,” Jordanian state television reported, as cited by AFP on Monday (26 October 2026.
The three suspects were reportedly injured in an armed clash during the arrest operation.
Jordan’s Public Security Directorate, as cited by Reuters, said security forces found the suspects in the early hours of Monday (26 October), hiding in an empty house.
The suspects refused to surrender and opened fire on Jordanian security forces, who returned fire. The three were arrested after being wounded.
No security personnel were injured in the clash. Firearms and ammunition were seized from the suspects.
The Public Security Directorate did not disclose the suspects’ affiliations or say whether they belonged to any particular militant group.
Jordanian authorities said armed men stormed the Greek Orthodox church compound in Hammoud village, in the Karak area, during a funeral procession on Friday (23 October) last week and opened fire.
Karak is home to a significant Christian community in the predominantly Muslim kingdom. Christians make up about 2–3 per cent of the country’s population.
Jordan’s Interior Ministry said the armed attack was carried out by extremists, but said it was too early to determine whether they had links to any known militant groups inside or outside Jordan.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the shooting.
King Abdullah II, who met victims of the attack, said at a National Security Council meeting that “the security and safety of the Jordanian people is a red line”. He also warned that “the hand of justice will reach every terrorist”.
Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan declared three days of national mourning from Friday (23 October), ordering flags to be flown at half-mast at government offices and public institutions.