Death toll from Karak church attack in Jordan rises to nine

At least eight individuals lost their lives and approximately 40 others sustained injuries following a gun attack on a church in Jordan's southern Karak province, marking an unprecedented incident that has deeply shocked the nation. The unidentified assailants have yet to be apprehended, according to a public security agency statement on Friday afternoon.

The attack, deemed a terrorist act against Christians attending a funeral in the town of Hmoud, has prompted a harsh response from Jordan's King Abdullah. King Abdullah declared that Jordan will "harshly" retaliate against those responsible, emphasizing the preciousness of Jordanian lives and vowing to strike the perpetrators with "an iron fist."

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan confirmed that all state agencies are actively pursuing the capture of the perpetrators, stating that the event was a result of extremist terrorist ideology rooted in takfir, and vowed that society will not be allowed to descend into such a path. The casualty count was initially revised multiple times as more details emerged, with Health Minister Ibrahim al-Budour informing that two of the wounded are in critical condition.

A witness disclosed to state-run Al-Mamlaka television that one attacker wielded an AK-47 assault rifle, and the shooting persisted for several minutes. Another eyewitness verified that the attack lasted a considerable duration, with gunmen shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is the greatest) while targeting the church courtyard, where most of the victims were congregated.

One survivor recounted to CNN how she had to hide behind the church altar to escape the massacre. She expressed disbelief at the brutality, stating that she never imagined such an occurrence could take place in Jordan. Security camera footage shared on social media depicted three gunmen opening fire on the street before advancing towards the church.

The predominantly Christian community of Hmoud had gathered at St. George's Greek Orthodox Church to pay their respects to a fellow community member. An eyewitness, Tamer Halasa, informed state media that around 150 individuals were present inside and outside the church at the time of the attack.