Jordanian police capture three family members in Karak village shootout

Jordanian security forces arrested three relatives in a dawn raid on Monday, ending a manhunt that turned into a three-hour gun battle in the village of al-Jadeeda. The suspects are connected to the Friday attack on St. George's Church in nearby Hamoud, which left eight people dead and 34 wounded.

Interior Minister Mazin al-Farrayeh stated that all three suspects are Jordanians and belong to the same family. A senior security official told reporters that two of the men are brothers. Authorities identified the suspects early in the investigation and expanded their search scope until they cornered the group in an abandoned house. The suspects refused to surrender and opened fire on police, who returned the shots. All three were taken into custody with severe injuries, one of them critical.

Police recovered firearms and ammunition at the hideout, according to the state news agency Petra. The village is located about a six-minute drive from the site of the original attack. Al-Farrayeh noted that the suspects have no known ties to other groups. He added that investigations continue and that everyone involved in the act will face justice.

The initial attack occurred during a funeral procession. Armed men stormed the church compound and opened fire on mourners. Security footage broadcast by Al-Mamlaka TV showed three individuals shooting outside the building and firing on men attempting to flee. King Abdullah II described the security of Jordanians as a "red line" and ordered forces to respond with an "iron fist." He met with victims and held a National Security Council meeting on Saturday.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan ordered three days of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast over government institutions. Eight victims were buried in Karak on Sunday in a ceremony attended by a large crowd. Their coffins were draped with Jordanian flags as they were carried through the mourners under heavy security. The Karak governorate is home to a notable Christian minority, with Christians comprising between 2 percent and 3 percent of Jordan's total population.

Al-Farrayeh called on citizens to remain calm and reject violence. He said the government is examining the circumstances that lead young people toward extremism. The Public Security Directorate has not named the suspects or identified specific armed affiliations. No group has claimed responsibility for the shooting to date.