Gunmen Attack Church Funeral in Jordan, Killing Seven

A funeral service at a church in central Jordan turned into a scene of chaos on Friday when armed men opened fire, killing seven people and wounding at least 34 others. The attack took place in the village of Hmoud, located within the Karak governorate, where a sizeable Christian community resides in the majority Muslim nation.

Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya identified the attackers at a news conference as a group of extremists. He described the incident as painful and horrific, noting that it was unparalleled in the history of the Hashemite Kingdom. King Abdullah II stated that authorities would confront the terrorist act with the harshest penalties. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the shooting.

Witnesses reported that the attack lasted approximately 15 minutes. Khalid al-Mdanat, who was present at the church, told BBC Arabic that people tried to flee while gunfire was still active. He said the gunmen exited through the main doors and escaped in a pickup truck, firing as they drove away. Another witness described the sound as if a war had started, while a woman inside the building said the situation escalated for 10 continuous minutes before she exited to find bodies in the courtyards.

CCTV footage verified by the BBC appears to show three men approaching the church from a road. Two of them entered what looks like a vehicle entrance, retreated briefly, and then returned with a third man. All three appeared to be carrying handguns. Witnesses described panic inside the building as people threw themselves under pews and moved away from windows while prayers and screams filled the air.

Initial reports of the death toll were inconsistent, with a government spokesperson briefly stating six people had died before officials returned to the figure of seven. Security forces closed roads near the hospital in Karak that is treating the wounded, forcing visitors to park and walk. Security was tightened further ahead of a visit by King Abdullah II to see the injured patients.

The mood around the hospital was tense, marked by crying and shouting as families mourned. Many residents appeared shocked and angry, with some expressing frustration at what they called a failure to take a tougher approach toward terrorists. Such violence is rare in Jordan, though deadly attacks have occurred in the past.

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun, a Christian head of state, condemned the incident. According to Lebanese media, he called it a heinous terrorist attack that violated the sanctity of death and funeral mourners, stating that it contradicts all religious and humanitarian values.