Jordan Arrests Three Suspects Over Church Attack in Dawn Raid

Jordanian authorities have arrested three suspects in connection with an attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Karak governorate. The incident occurred on Friday, resulting in at least eight fatalities and over two dozen injuries. The Public Security Directorate has confirmed that the suspects were identified early on and apprehended by security forces.

According to Interior Minister Mazin al-Farrayeh, all three suspects are Jordanian nationals. They were found hiding in an abandoned house in the village of al-Jadeeda, where they resisted arrest and attacked security personnel. The suspects are from one family, including two brothers, according to a senior security official.

The investigation into the attack is ongoing, with authorities stating that no ties have been found between the suspects and other groups. Al-Farrayeh has confirmed that many locations were raided in an effort to apprehend the suspects, and they were ultimately subdued and taken into custody after sustaining severe injuries.

Security forces recovered firearms and ammunition at the suspects’ hideout, according to Petra state news agency reports. The gun battle to arrest the suspects lasted approximately three hours in the village of al-Jadeeda. Jordan’s King Abdullah II has ordered security forces to respond with an “iron fist” to the attack on the Christian minority community.

The Public Security Directorate has stated that terrorism has no place in Jordan, and the suspects have been taken into custody. The directorate also reported that security camera footage of the attack is circulating online. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Source: Al Jazeera