Gunmen Attack Church During Funeral in Jordan: 6 Killed, 28 Wounded

Six people have been killed in a gun attack on a church during a funeral in Jordan. Another 28 people were wounded in Friday's attack on the church in Hamud village in Karak Governorate, a government spokesman has said.

Attackers arrived by car, entered the church, opened fire and fled, reports said. Government spokesman Mohammad Al-Momani described the incident as a heinous attack.

Jordan's King Abdullah II said: "The authorities will take the strictest measures against the terrorist acts targeting Karak." In a post on X expressing condolences to the families of the dead, he wrote: "No cowardly or sudden attack can break the unity and bonds of the Jordanian people. Everyone will unitedly thwart any such attempt."

Khaled Burqan, one of the mourners, told Jordan's state television Al-Mamlaka that dozens of people were inside the church for the funeral at the time. Gunfire then began. According to him, two attackers with rifles and pistols fired at the mourners for several minutes.

However, CCTV footage verified by the BBC showed three gunmen approaching the church from the street. Two of them were seen heading towards the vehicle entrance to the church compound. They then pulled back briefly and returned with a third person. All three appeared to be carrying handguns.

A separate video from after the attack showed some dead and wounded people lying on the ground amid extreme chaos. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Interior Ministry officials are expected to hold a news briefing on the matter soon. Spokesman Al-Momani said the prime minister would chair a meeting of the security council, to be attended by all ministers.

Muslim-majority Jordan's Karak is home to a large Christian community. Such attacks are rare in the country, although deadly attacks have occurred in the past.

The attack on a mourning occasion like a funeral has spread deep grief and panic in the area. The 28 wounded are being treated, although detailed information about their condition has not yet been released.

The identity and motive of the attackers remain unknown. Security forces are believed to be active in hunting them down, and the government's next steps will become clear after the security council meeting chaired by the prime minister.

The Jordanian government is treating the attack as an act of terrorism. From the king to the government spokesman, every statement has promised to preserve unity and take strict action against the attackers.