A funeral service in the village of Hamoud was transformed into a scene of carnage on Friday when gunmen opened fire on a Greek Orthodox church, killing nine people and wounding 40 others. The rare assault on Jordan’s Christian minority has prompted a severe response from the central government, with King Abdullah ordering security forces to meet the threat of extremist terrorism with an “iron fist.”
Sahar al-Halsa, who was attending the funeral for her cousin’s daughter at Saint George’s Greek Orthodox Church, described a chaotic scene of panic and grief. As the first shots rang out, she sought refuge behind a structural pillar while screams filled the sanctuary. When she eventually rushed outside into the churchyard, she found her cousin, Assem, lying on the ground. She recalled calling out his name and seeing him open his eyes one last time before he succumbed to his injuries.
The village of Hamoud is located in the Karak governorate, approximately 75 miles southwest of the capital, Amman. The targeted church, recognizable by its red dome, now sits with shattered windows as a testament to an attack that lasted for several minutes. While Jordan has remained a relatively stable presence in a volatile region and serves as a key partner to the United States in counter-terrorism efforts, the kingdom has faced various extremist plots in recent years. This shooting, however, is being treated as a significant escalation due to its sectarian nature and the high number of casualties.
Sahar’s husband, Ziad al-Halsa, said he rushed toward the church the moment he heard the gunfire, fearing for his wife’s life. Living within sight of the church, the couple is now grappling with the aftermath of the violence. Sahar described her survival as a second chance at life, speaking from a home decorated with religious icons that reflect the deep-rooted presence of the Christian community in the region.
Authorities in Jordan have launched an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators. As of Sunday, officials stated it was too early to confirm if the gunmen were affiliated with specific international or domestic militant groups. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the massacre. The King’s “iron fist” directive signals a likely increase in security operations across the governorate as investigators seek to determine how the attackers managed to target the service.
Despite the bloodshed, local religious leaders are calling for calm and resilience. Priest Yuhanna Hamati, speaking from the site of the shooting, emphasized that the community’s response would be one of peace rather than further division. He characterized the events as a horrific crime but maintained that the church’s message remains one of reassurance to the world.
Funerals for the nine victims are scheduled to take place on Sunday. The 40 wounded survivors remain under medical care as the nation observes a period of mourning and security forces maintain a heightened presence in and around the village of Hamoud.
