At least seven people have been killed and 34 wounded after gunmen opened fire on mourners attending a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in southern Jordan, authorities said on Friday.
The attack took place on October 23 at Hamoud Church in Karak Governorate, approximately 180 kilometres south of the capital, Amman.
Jordan’s Public Security Directorate confirmed the latest casualty figures as security forces launched an investigation into the deadly assault.
According to eyewitness accounts carried by Jordanian state television channel Al-Mamlaka, two armed men arrived in a vehicle and opened fire on people gathered for the funeral.
One attacker was reportedly carrying an assault rifle, while the other was armed with a pistol.
Witnesses said the gunmen continued shooting for several minutes, targeting mourners gathered inside and around the church.
More than 150 people were reportedly attending the funeral when the shooting began.
Jordanian Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya described those responsible as terrorists, while King Abdullah II condemned the attack and pledged severe punishment for the perpetrators.
The attack has shocked Jordan’s Christian community, particularly in Karak, where Christian families have maintained a longstanding presence.
Security forces deployed to the area as emergency teams transported the wounded to nearby hospitals.
The identities of the attackers have not been officially disclosed, and no organisation has claimed responsibility.
Authorities have also not established whether the massacre was specifically motivated by religious hatred, although the targeting of mourners at a Christian place of worship has raised concerns over the community’s security.
Previous Islamist attacks in Karak
Karak has previously experienced deadly violence involving Islamist extremist organisations.
In December 2016, militants linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) carried out coordinated shootings in the governorate, including an assault near the historic Karak Castle that killed security personnel and civilians.
The latest massacre comes amid continuing concerns over extremist violence and the protection of Christian minorities across the Middle East.
Jordanian authorities have pledged to identify those responsible for Friday’s killings and bring them to justice.
The investigation remains ongoing.
