Gunmen attacked a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hammoud, Karak governorate, on Friday, 23 October 2026, leaving seven people dead. Authorities reported that 34 individuals sustained injuries during the assault, and 27 of them remained under medical care as of 24 October. King Abdullah II condemned the violence, stating, "The terrorist attack against Karak will be met with the harshest retaliation. We will strike with an iron fist against those who dare to threaten our nation." The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in Jordan expressed defiance, noting, "It will only make us cling to it more firmly and deepen our roots in it," while adding that "this criminal act is far removed from – and alien to – the moderate Islam of our country."
Details of the Church Attack
Witnesses reported that between 150 and 200 people were present at the church during the funeral procession when the shooting occurred. The congregation had gathered for the service in the village of Hammoud before the gunmen opened fire. Following the incident, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun addressed the violence. "It reaffirms once again that terrorism has no religion and no homeland, and its aim is to strike at coexistence and spread strife," he stated.
Official Responses and Condemnation
Mazen Al-Faraya, the Interior Minister, addressed the recent violence by stating, "Jordan has been targeted by a terrorist attack carried out by a group of extremists." He further noted, "A terrorist group has carried out a horrific act, one that is condemned in every respect, and the security services are working round the clock to track them down."
Demographic data indicates that Christians make up between 2 and 3 per cent of the population in Jordan. The country previously experienced a significant security incident in 2016, when an attack in Karak targeted a security centre and police patrols. That assault resulted in 10 deaths. Security officials are currently investigating the circumstances of the incident in Hammoud to determine if there are links to past security threats within the Karak governorate. Authorities continue to monitor the situation across the region as the investigation proceeds.
