Gunmen kill 7 at Christian church in Jordan in what king calls act of terrorism

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Multiple gunmen opened fire and killed at least seven people Friday at a church in Jordan, in what the country’s leader is calling a “terrorist attack.”

The shooting, which also left 34 injured, erupted during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, about 110 miles south of the capital, Amman. Karak is home to a minority Christian population.

“The terrorist attack against Karak will be met with the harshest retaliation. Those who delude themselves into thinking that they can divide Jordanians with their bullets have no chance in the face of our unity,” King Abdullah II wrote on X.

“All Jordanians, from north to south, are partners in land and fate, and nothing stands between them. Our deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” he added. “Every Jordanian life is precious, and we will strike with an iron fist against those who dare to threaten our nation.”

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People and security forces gather outside a Greek Orthodox church in Hammoud, Jordan.

Images broadcast on Jordanian state television showed two gunmen who appear to be holding pistols approaching the church and firing shots, according to The Associated Press.

A third man who appeared to be holding a semiautomatic rifle then appeared and opened fire, and all three then ran toward the church.

A government statement said that the attack was “carried out by unknown assailants,” but didn’t say whether any gunmen were captured or killed. It noted that “investigations are underway at full speed.”

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Ambulances parked outside Prince Ali Military Hospital in Karak, Jordan.

In 2016, gunmen ambushed police in a series of attacks in Karak, including at a Crusader castle popular with tourists, killing 10 people, including seven officers, and wounding dozens. Jordanian security forces killed those gunmen after a long standoff.

Jordan’s director of public security, Maj. Gen. Obeidallah Maaytah, said at a news conference that 27 of the wounded in Friday’s shooting were still being treated.

Security officer stands guard outside Greek Orthodox Church in Jordan.

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In a statement, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said he called his Jordanian counterpart and “affirmed Iraq’s solidarity with Jordan in the face of terrorism.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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