Jordan's King Pledges to Strike Extremists 'with an Iron Hand'

- Intensify efforts to dry up the sources of extremist ideology

- Those who imagine that bullets of treachery can split the ranks of Jordanians will find their efforts in vain

- Crown Prince: Jordanians will remain a single front against anyone attempting to undermine the nation’s security

King Abdullah II of Jordan ordered security forces on Saturday to respond firmly and pursue those responsible for Friday’s attack on a church in Karak Governorate, south of Amman, which killed and injured dozens of civilians.

He stressed that “the hand of justice will reach every terrorist” and that “such cowardly acts will not and cannot intimidate Jordan or the Jordanians, nor will they shake their national unity.”

He directed relevant authorities to “respond firmly and strike with an iron fist the Khawarij and anyone who dares to tamper with the unity of Jordanians,” emphasizing the “necessity of pursuing and holding accountable, with the full force of the law, anyone who supported or justified this act,” according to the official Petra News Agency.

He called for keeping citizens informed of investigation developments promptly, and for firmly countering rumors and misleading information that might exploit this crime to incite fear and fitna (discord).

He also directed the government and relevant institutions to “review counter-extremism policies and intensify efforts to dry up their sources within a systematic plan, in coordination with religious authorities.”

King Abdullah II had previously posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account: “We will confront the terrorist attack targeting Karak with the harshest penalties. Those who imagine that bullets of treachery can split the ranks of Jordanians will find their efforts in vain before our resilience and unity.”

He added, “All Jordanians, from the north to the south of the country, are partners in land and stance. No treachery will pass between them. Deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs, and our best wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured... The blood of Jordanians is precious, and we will strike with an iron fist anyone who dares to threaten this country.”

Crown Prince Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II also affirmed that “the bullets of cowardly terrorism will not harm Karak and its history full of honor and dignity. Jordanians will remain a single front against anyone attempting to undermine the nation’s security and stability. May God have mercy on the souls of the martyrs, and grant our wounded a speedy recovery.”

The Jordanian Public Security Directorate announced that a shooting incident occurred near a church in Hamoud village, Karak Governorate, during one of the funerals.

Ammon News Agency and witnesses reported that three armed men in a vehicle got out and opened fire for 5–10 minutes from close range at people outside the church during the funeral rites of a deceased woman, with approximately 150–200 people present at the scene.

In Amman, the U.S. Embassy confirmed on Saturday that it is closely monitoring the terrorist attack on the Greek Orthodox Church, adding that “security measures have been tightened at shopping centers, foreign embassies, and other sites in Jordan following the church incident.”

The terrorist attack drew widespread international and Arab condemnation. GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi emphasized “the GCC’s solidarity with the Kingdom to protect its security, and its rejection of all criminal acts that contradict human values and ethical principles.”

The Arab League stressed “the importance of adhering to the spirit of national unity in this delicate moment, and standing firm as a single front against the despicable attempts to sow fitna, divisions, and chaos.”

In Riyadh, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed solidarity with “our brothers in Jordan, government and people, and total rejection of all terrorist acts attempting to undermine the security and stability of the Kingdom and its people.”

In a related development, the United Arab Emirates strongly condemned these “terrorist and criminal acts aimed at undermining security and stability,” while Bahrain affirmed its full sympathy and solidarity with Jordan, and its support for the measures it is taking to safeguard its security and stability, combat extremism and terrorism, and track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

In this context, Syria announced its full support for Jordan in confronting any actions that threaten its security, stability, and national fabric.

Internationally, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the attack on a place of worship during a funeral was “particularly horrifying.”

In a similar stance, the European Union affirmed its full support for the investigations being conducted by security agencies to uncover the details of the attack, and expressed its solidarity with the Jordanian people and government.