Gunmen open fire at a church during a funeral in Jordan, killing 7 and wounding 34

Gunmen unleashed a deadly shooting during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan on Friday, claiming the lives of seven individuals and leaving 34 others wounded, according to authorities. The attack occurred in Karak, a town situated approximately 110 miles south of the Jordanian capital, Amman.

Two gunmen, armed with pistols, approached the church, opening fire before a third assailant, carrying a semi-automatic rifle, joined them. All three then fled the scene, leaving behind a scene of chaos and mourning.

The government of Jordan confirmed that the attack was carried out by unknown assailants, but did not disclose whether any gunmen were captured or killed. Investigations into the incident are currently being conducted at full speed.

Karak is known for its minority Christian population. In 2016, the town witnessed a series of attacks, including an ambush on police involving a Crusader castle that attracted tourists, resulting in the deaths of 10 people, including seven officers, and injuring numerous others. Jordanian security forces subsequently apprehended the gunmen after an extended standoff.

The Jordanian director of public security, Maj. Gen. Obeidallah Maaytah, reported at a press conference that 27 of the wounded individuals are still receiving medical treatment. King Abdullah II of Jordan condemned the terrorist act targeting Karak, promising the harshest penalties and expressing his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as wishing the wounded a speedy recovery.

International condemnation of the attack echoed across the Middle East, with Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Oman all expressing their sympathies. Notably, Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, the leading religious institution within the Sunni Muslim world, also offered his condolences, deeming the incident a "heinous terrorist attack." Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein reached out to his Jordanian counterpart, affirming Iraq's solidarity with Jordan in the face of terrorism.