Three arrested in Jordan after church attack killed 9

Jordanian security forces arrested three men on Monday for the deadly attack on a Greek Orthodox Church that took place the previous Friday. The incident in Karak left nine people dead and more than two dozen others wounded. Authorities reported that all three suspects were injured during a dawn shootout that led to their capture.

The Public Security Directorate later identified the detainees as Hazzah Zaidan Mohammad and Mishal Zaidan Mohammad, brothers, along with their brother-in-law, Ahmad Sami Hussein. All three are Jordanian citizens. They were taken into custody in Karak, a city located roughly 90 kilometers south of the capital, Amman. Karak is known for its minority Christian population.

Maj. Gen. Obaidallah Abd Rabbo Al-Maayta, the chief of the agency, described the gunmen as "takfiri," a term referring to Sunni militants. He stated that the men were not connected to any organized group. "They only represent themselves," Al-Maayta told reporters at a news conference. He added that a large cache of munitions was discovered in the abandoned house where forces apprehended the three men.

Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya attributed the attack to "a terroristic, extremist way of thinking." He warned that similar incidents could recur if this mindset is not addressed. King Abdullah II ordered a firm response, calling the attackers "outlaws of Islam" who seek to undermine national unity. In a statement on Monday, the King said the terrorists would not escape punishment and that proponents of divisive ideologies would not be tolerated.

The attack occurred during a funeral service at the church. No group immediately claimed responsibility, and the specific motive remained unknown to authorities. Jordan declared three days of national mourning for the victims. The arrests provided a measure of relief to those affected by the violence.

Khaled al-Borqan, a survivor of the attack and a relative of three victims, told the TV station Al-Mamlaka that the arrests eased the grief of the families. "Despite the profound and immense tragedy, what happened today has eased our grief," he said. Fares Halaseh, another survivor and an uncle of a victim, noted that the news brought joy despite the ongoing pain. "We will not forget this agony for years to come," Halaseh added.