Nine people were killed and more than two dozen were injured when gunmen stormed a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, Jordan, during a funeral on Friday. The attack, which occurred in a city about 55 miles south of the capital Amman, has been linked by officials to extremist Islamist ideology.
Jordanian Health Minister Ibrahim al-Budour stated on Saturday that one critically injured patient remained hospitalized in unstable condition at Prince Ali Military Hospital. Government spokesperson Mohammad Momani said the attackers subscribed to "extremist takfiri ideology," a belief system that brands individuals who reject a strict interpretation of Islam as apostates or nonbelievers. Terrorist groups such as ISIS have previously invoked takfiri beliefs to justify the killing of Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
Karak is home to a sizable Christian minority. In response to the violence, Momani emphasized that Christians are "part of Jordan's national fabric." As of Saturday, it remains unclear whether the gunmen were affiliated with any specific terror group, and Jordanian authorities have not announced any arrests in connection with the incident.
Footage from Jordanian state television showed two armed men approaching the church and opening fire, according to The Associated Press. Shortly after, a third individual holding what looked like a semiautomatic rifle arrived and joined the others before the group rushed into the building. Witness photos and videos captured broken glass and pools of blood inside the church. After police secured the location, two bodies covered with blankets were seen outside.
Dorgham Halasa told The Associated Press that intense gunfire erupted inside the church approximately 15 minutes after the funeral service began, causing people to run. Halasa did not see the gunmen himself but spoke with others who reported seeing at least four attackers. Jordanian authorities had not confirmed the number of assailants as of Saturday.
King Abdullah II addressed the nation on Friday, stating that Jordan will "confront the terrorist act that targeted Karak with the harshest penalties." He warned that anyone imagining bullets could divide the ranks of Jordanians would fail before the country's steadfastness and unity. The King extended condolences to the families of the victims and wishes for recovery to the wounded. Following the attack, Jordan announced three days of national mourning, according to the state-run Petra News Agency.