A terrorist attack occurred at a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hammoud in Jordan's Karak Governorate on Friday, 23 October 2026. The incident took place during a funeral procession at the church, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people and leaving 34 others injured. King Abdullah II responded to 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."
Details of the Attack
Between 150 and 200 people were present in and around the Greek Orthodox church when the shooting began on 23 October 2026. These individuals had gathered in the village of Hammoud in the Karak Governorate to participate in a funeral procession. The large crowd occupied both the interior of the religious site and the surrounding grounds at the moment the attack occurred. Security officials and local authorities are currently working to identify those caught in the gunfire during the event. The high number of attendees contributed to the significant casualty count reported following the violence. Investigators continue to review the scene as they process the events that unfolded among the group gathered for the service.
Official Response and Investigation
Jordanian authorities have launched an extensive manhunt to locate and apprehend the perpetrators responsible for the shooting in the village of Hammoud. Security forces are currently conducting search operations throughout the Karak Governorate to identify the individuals behind the attack on the Greek Orthodox church. Abdullah Al-Maaytah confirmed that investigative teams are processing forensic evidence collected from the scene to determine the identities and affiliations of those involved in the violence.
The Pakistani Foreign Office issued an official statement on 24 October 2026 addressing the incident. The government in Islamabad expressed its support for the Jordanian state following the tragedy. The Foreign Office statement noted: "Pakistan stands in firm solidarity with the brotherly people of Jordan in their fight against terrorism, and reiterates its strongest condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations." Officials in Pakistan communicated this position to counterparts in Jordan to reinforce diplomatic ties during the ongoing crisis.
