Jordanian King orders "firm response and iron-fisted strike against extremists" after Karak church attack

Jordan announced that the death toll from yesterday’s shooting attack on the Saint George Orthodox Church in the town of Hamoud in Karak Governorate has risen to nine, with 40 injured. King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan called for a firm crackdown, stressing the necessity of pursuing anyone who supported or justified the act.

Jordan News Agency (Petra) reported that King Abdullah II chaired a meeting of the National Security Council, where he received a security briefing on the terrorist attack targeting the church.

During the meeting, attended by Crown Prince Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, the King emphasized that “there is no room for leniency when it comes to the lives of Jordanians,” reiterating his condemnation of this “despicable terrorist act, which is alien to Jordan’s reputation for chivalry and harmony.” He stressed that “the security and safety of Jordanians are a red line,” affirming that the hand of justice will reach every terrorist, and that such cowardly acts will neither intimidate Jordan and its people nor undermine their national unity.

The King directed relevant authorities to respond decisively and strike firmly against extremists and anyone who dares to tamper with the unity of Jordanians, reiterating the need to pursue and hold accountable, with the full force of the law, anyone who supported or justified this act. He also stressed the importance of conducting a comprehensive security assessment of the mechanisms for dealing with terrorist acts, and formulating practical measures to enhance security readiness to preemptively counter any similar attempts, highlighting the necessity of enforcing the rule of law and the state’s authority.

He instructed the government and relevant institutions to review policies combating extremist ideology, and to intensify efforts to cut off its sources within a systematic plan, in coordination with religious authorities.

Meanwhile, Petra reported that the General Security Directorate announced the death of one of the attack’s injured, raising the death toll to nine. Previously, the director of Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein Military Hospital in Karak Governorate had announced that one of the two critical patients being treated at the hospital had died, bringing the death toll to eight at that time.

In this context, Jordanian Health Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Badour stated that the number of injuries following the shooting incident in Karak Governorate reached 40 cases, clarifying that 27 patients are currently receiving treatment in hospitals.

Since the attack, a wave of Arab, Islamic, and international reactions condemning it have followed, affirming solidarity with Jordan.

Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani expressed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s strong condemnation and rejection of the terrorist attack. In a statement, the Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Minister Al Zayani conveyed, during a phone call with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s sympathy and full solidarity with Jordan and its people, and its support for the measures it is taking to safeguard its security and stability and combat extremism and terrorism, wishing the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan security, stability, and prosperity.

For its part, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed in a statement Qatar’s firm stance rejecting violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of motives or reasons, and stressed its complete rejection of targeting places of worship and terrorizing the innocent.

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), strongly condemned the terrorist attack. In a statement yesterday, Ahmed affirmed that targeting places of worship and innocent civilians constitutes a blatant violation of human values and international norms, and threatens community security and peace.

The Muslim World League also strongly condemned the terrorist attack.

The Secretary-General of the Council of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkreem Al-Issa, reiterated in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) the World Assembly of Muslim Jurists’ firm rejection and condemnation of violence and terrorism in all their forms and under any pretext. The United Kingdom expressed its solidarity with Jordan, and British Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa and Afghanistan and Pakistan, Stephen Doughty, said in a post on the X platform that “the United Kingdom stands firmly by Jordan at this difficult time.” For her part, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release that Moscow conveyed its condolences to Jordan’s leadership and people, as well as to the families of the victims who lost their lives in the terrorist attack.