Security has ramped up in Jordan after deadly terror attack on church killed seven, US embassy says
Such attacks are extremely rare in Jordan, though authorities in the US ally say that in recent years they have repeatedly foiled attempted attacks by Islamist militants.
Security forces in Jordan have heightened their vigilance following a deadly terror attack on a Greek Orthodox church in the Karak governorate, which left seven people dead and dozens injured, according to the US embassy in Amman. The assault occurred during a funeral ceremony, and no group has yet claimed responsibility. While such incidents are uncommon in the kingdom, US allies inside the country say they have thwarted numerous plots by Islamist militants in recent years.
Officials are actively pursuing the assailants, though determining their potential ties to recognized groups inside or outside Jordan is premature.
Jordan's Prime Minister Jafar Hassan condemned the act of "terrorist ideology and blind extremism" in a recent X/Twitter post, vowing that society would not be allowed to follow this destructive path. King Abdullah, a key US ally in the battle against militant Islamist groups, visited Karak shortly after the attack, asserting that the perpetrators would face punishment "with an iron fist."
As Christians constitute a minority in Jordan, the nation is home to numerous biblical sites that attract Christian pilgrims from around the globe. In recent months, Jordan has found itself targeted by Iranian attacks, partly due to the US and Israel's joint strikes against the country in February.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
