Death toll rises to 9 in church attack as officials blame ‘extremist’ Islamist ideology

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A group of gunmen stormed a Christian church in Jordan during a funeral on Friday, killing nine people and injuring more than two dozen, according to authorities.

The shooting took place at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, about 55 miles south of the capital, Amman.

Jordanian Health Minister Ibrahim al-Budour said Saturday that one critically injured patient remained hospitalized at Prince Ali Military Hospital in unstable condition.

Government spokesperson Mohammad Momani said Saturday that the attackers subscribed to “extremist takfiri ideology,” which brands people who reject a strict interpretation of Islam as apostates or nonbelievers. Terrorist groups such as ISIS have invoked takfiri beliefs to justify killing Muslims, Christians and Jews.

Journalists and other people stand outside a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan that was attacked.

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Karak is home to a sizable Christian minority, and Momani sought to emphasize that Christians are “part of Jordan’s national fabric.”

It remains unclear whether the gunmen were affiliated with any terror group, and Jordanian authorities have not announced any arrests in connection with the attack.

Footage shown on Jordanian state television showed two gunmen armed with what appeared to be pistols approaching the church and opening fire, The Associated Press reported.

A third man carrying what appeared to be a semiautomatic rifle joined them moments later, before all three rushed toward the church.

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

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Photos and videos from witnesses show broken glass and pools of blood inside the church. After the location was secured by police, two bodies covered with blankets were seen outside the church.

Dorgham Halasa told the AP that intense gunfire erupted in the church some 15 minutes after the funeral service began. People began running, he said.

Halasa said he didn’t see the gunmen, but said others he spoke with reported seeing at least four of them. Jordanian authorities had not confirmed the number of attackers as of Saturday.

On Friday, King Abdullah II said Jordan will “confront the terrorist act that targeted Karak with the harshest penalties.”

The interior of a Greek Orthodox church that was attacked by gunmen.

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“Whoever imagines that the bullets of treachery can divide the ranks of Jordanians will fail in his endeavor before our steadfastness and unity,” he added. “Our deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs, and our wishes for recovery to the wounded.”

Jordan announced three days of national mourning following the attack, according to the state-run Petra News Agency.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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