Seven Killed, 40 Injured in Shooting at Church Funeral in Jordan

Seven people were killed and 40 others injured after gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a church in Jordan on Friday, authorities said, describing the incident as a terrorist act carried out by extremists.

The shooting took place at Hamoud Church in the Karak governorate, targeting members of Jordan’s Christian minority in a rare attack in the country.

Public Security Directorate chief Major General Abdallah al-Maaytah said most of those injured were still undergoing treatment, while security forces continued their search for the attackers.

Interior Minister Mazin Al Farrayeh said the attack was carried out by “extremists”. However, he added that it was too early to determine whether the suspects had links to any known militant groups operating inside or outside Jordan.

No group had immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Footage broadcast by Jordan’s state-owned Al-Mamlaka television appeared to show three individuals firing towards the church from a nearby sidewalk before taking cover behind trees and a low wall. The attackers were then seen running towards the church entrance.

Reuters said it verified the footage by matching visible features, including the church’s entrance path and surrounding wall, along with other details.

Attacks of this nature are extremely rare in Jordan, a country considered relatively stable in the region. However, authorities have repeatedly said they have foiled attempted attacks by Islamist militants in recent years.