Jordan king orders ’iron fist’ response to deadly church attack

Jordan's King Abdullah has ordered security forces to respond with an "iron fist" following a deadly church attack that left nine people dead and 40 wounded. The assailants fired on a Greek Orthodox church in Karak governorate during a funeral service on Friday, displaying a level of indiscriminate violence that left all present in a state of panic.

King Abdullah condemned the "despicable terrorist act" at a National Security Council meeting and emphasized that there is no room for leniency when it comes to the lives of Jordanians. Security has been heightened across the country, with malls, foreign embassies, and other locations on alert. Officials are currently investigating the attack, which is highly unusual in Jordan, a relatively stable state in the Middle East, although authorities claim they have thwarted several Islamist plots in recent years.

The identity of the attackers remains unclear, and no group has claimed responsibility. The incident has drawn condemnation from officials and the royal court, with many urging the country to remain secure.