Jordan Arrests Two Brothers, Brother-in-Law Over Church Attack That Killed Nine
Jordanian security forces have arrested two brothers and their brother-in-law over a deadly shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in the country’s Karak governorate that left nine people dead and dozens injured.
The suspects were arrested on Monday, October 26, after a shootout with security personnel at an abandoned house in Al-Jadeeda village, where they had reportedly been hiding.
According to Jordan’s Public Security Directorate, the suspects refused to surrender and opened fire on security forces, who returned fire, wounded the three men and took them into custody.
The suspects were identified as Hazza Zaidan Mohammed, Meshal Zaidan Mohammed and Ahmad Sami Hussein.
The attack occurred on Friday, October 23, when gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Hamoud village, about 120 kilometres southwest of the capital, Amman.
Jordan’s Ministry of Health initially reported that eight people were killed and 40 others injured. The death toll later rose to nine.
As of Monday, 27 injured victims remained in hospital, with one reportedly in critical condition after undergoing surgery.
Jordanian security officials said preliminary findings indicated that the suspects were not linked to any other organised group. Authorities also confirmed that no security personnel were injured during the operation, while firearms and ammunition were recovered from the location where the suspects were arrested.
Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said investigations were ongoing and that the authorities would hold accountable anyone found to have participated in the attack.
The shooting, which targeted members of Jordan’s Christian minority, has shocked the country, where attacks on places of worship are rare.
Following the incident, King Abdullah II vowed that those responsible would face severe punishment and ordered a review of security measures.
The authorities have also declared three days of national mourning for the victims of the attack.
