Gunmen attacked mourners during a funeral in Karak province, leaving dozens wounded as authorities continued searching for those responsible.
KARAK, JORDAN — Nine people were killed and about 40 others wounded after gunmen opened fire on mourners at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in the southern Jordanian village of Hamoud during a funeral, authorities and local media reported.
The Oct. 23 attack has shaken Jordan, where large-scale militant violence is uncommon and Christian communities have long lived alongside the Muslim majority. Jordanian authorities have described the shooting as an act of extremist terrorism, but officials have not publicly identified the attackers or established a motive. No group had claimed responsibility as of Sunday, and security forces were continuing their search.
Security footage reviewed by news organizations showed three armed men approaching the church and opening fire before moving toward the building. Witnesses said the shooting began while mourners were gathered inside and around the church for a funeral. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the total number of people involved in carrying out the attack, and reports differed over whether another person may have been driving the attackers’ vehicle.
The death toll rose after some of the wounded died following the initial attack. Jordanian media reported Sunday that nine people had died. About 40 people were wounded, though many were later discharged from hospitals as their conditions improved. Al-Mamlaka television reported Sunday morning that two patients were still receiving treatment at Karak Government Hospital and that the condition of the remaining wounded was stable.
Jordanian officials condemned the attack as terrorism and said investigators were working to determine whether the gunmen had connections to known militant organizations. Interior Minister Mazin Al Farrayeh said shortly after the shooting that authorities considered the attackers extremists but that it was too early to establish links to groups operating inside or outside Jordan. The investigation has not produced a publicly announced claim of responsibility.
King Abdullah II called for a forceful response against those responsible and said Jordan’s security and national unity would be protected. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and other senior officials also condemned the shooting and pledged that the attackers would be pursued and brought to justice. The government declared a period of national mourning as officials and religious leaders emphasized solidarity between Jordan’s Muslim and Christian communities.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned the attack on St. George Church and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. The patriarchate said the violence would not weaken the Christian community’s place in Jordan and stressed the country’s tradition of Muslim-Christian coexistence. Jordan’s grand mufti also visited the area and said attacks on civilians and houses of worship were contrary to religious and humanitarian values.
Thousands of people gathered Sunday for funeral ceremonies for the victims in Hamoud. Hassan attended on behalf of King Abdullah II, joining government officials, security leaders and local residents at the church. Jordan’s official Petra news agency said the ceremonies included prayers at St. George Church and a procession to the burial site in the village.
The attack was one of the deadliest episodes of violence in Jordan in recent years. Karak was also the site of a militant attack in December 2016, when gunmen carried out shootings in and around the city before taking positions at its historic castle. Ten people, including members of Jordan’s security forces, were killed in that violence. The Islamic State group was linked to the 2016 attack, but authorities have not announced evidence tying the latest church shooting to that organization or any other group.
Security was increased at several locations across Jordan after Friday’s shooting. The U.S. Embassy in Amman said additional security measures were visible around shopping centers, diplomatic facilities and other sites. Authorities continued pursuing the attackers Sunday, while investigators worked to determine their identities, motive and any possible organizational ties.
Author note: Last updated Oct. 25, 2026.