Three men captured after standoff in Jordanian village
Security forces neutralized three suspects in an abandoned house in Al-Jadeeda, ending a search that began after eight people were killed at a church funeral in Karak.
By Benjamin Clark ·
Jordanian security forces captured three armed men on Monday after a three-hour exchange of fire in the village of Al-Jadeeda. The suspects were hiding in an abandoned house in Karak governorate, according to the Public Security Directorate. They refused to surrender and engaged officers with gunfire until forces returned fire and took them into custody.
The Directorate stated that all three men were wounded during the confrontation. A government source told Al Jazeera that the attackers sustained serious injuries. One suspect was listed in critical condition. Petra News Agency reported that a search of the location revealed firearms and live ammunition. No security personnel were hurt in the engagement.
The incident occurred days after three gunmen opened fire at a Greek Orthodox church funeral in the village of Hamoud. The Ministry of Health reported that eight people were killed and 40 were injured in the attack on Friday. Hamoud is located about 120 kilometers southwest of Amman. As of Monday, 27 of the injured remained hospitalized. The director of Prince Ali Military Hospital in Karak said one patient was in critical condition following surgery.
Government Communication Minister Mohammad Momani called the capture a successful joint operation in a statement posted on X. He confirmed that the three suspects were injured and detained after refusing to surrender. The Public Security Directorate added that the suspects met their just fate and that terrorism has no place in the country. The statement did not name any specific group affiliated with the attackers.
King Abdullah II stated that those responsible for the attack would face the harshest penalties. He ordered a review of national security procedures for responding to such incidents. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said authorities are examining the factors that lead young people to embrace violence. He added that anyone found to have participated in the attack would be held accountable.
Karak governorate is home to a large portion of Jordan's Christian minority. This group numbers approximately 300,000 out of the country's total population of 11.5 million. The capture of the three suspects marks the end of the initial search phase for the shooters involved in the funeral attack.
Source: Al Jazeera
