Karak Church Funerals End in Bloodshed as Seven Die in 15-Minute Attack

Seven people died and at least 34 others were wounded when gunmen opened fire on a funeral gathering at a church in Hmoud, Karak governorate, on Friday. The attack unfolded in roughly 15 minutes, according to witnesses, ending a traditional mourning service with sudden violence in a region where such incidents are rare.

The attackers arrived by car and entered the church grounds before opening fire. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya identified the suspects as a group of extremists. He told a news conference that the incident was painful and horrific, calling it unparalleled in the history of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Authorities have not yet identified the specific individuals or groups behind the assault.

Khalid al-Mdanat, who was present at the church, said the shooting continued while people tried to flee. He described the gunmen leaving through the main doors and escaping in a pickup truck while firing as they went. Another witness recalled hearing sounds that resembled the start of a war. A woman inside the building said gunfire began seconds after a prayer, and the situation escalated for ten continuous minutes before she emerged to find bodies scattered in the courtyards.

Verified CCTV footage shows three men approaching the church from a road. Two of them entered a vehicle entrance, retreated briefly, and then returned with a third man. All three appeared to be carrying handguns. Separate video from the aftermath shows dead and wounded people on the ground amidst chaotic scenes.

King Abdullah II vowed that authorities would confront the terrorist act with the harshest penalties. Security forces closed nearby roads and increased patrols around a hospital in Karak treating the injured. The King visited the wounded as families gathered at the hospital entrance, where heavy security measures were in place. Many residents expressed shock and anger, with some criticizing the government for not taking a tougher approach toward terrorists previously.

The Karak governorate has a sizeable Christian community within Jordan's majority Muslim population. While deadly attacks have occurred in the country before, this incident stands out for targeting a funeral. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun condemned the event as a heinous terrorist attack that violated the sanctity of death and funeral mourners.

Early reports on the death toll were inconsistent, with some officials initially stating six people had died before the figure was corrected to seven. No group has formally claimed responsibility for the shooting in Hmoud.