By Samantha Kamman, Christian Post. (Photo: Unsplash)
Jordanian authorities arrested three men following a deadly attack on a Greek Orthodox church, with one witness recalling that after gunmen shot at people fleeing for their lives, they returned to open more fire.
The gunmen opened fire on the gathering at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Hmoud, Karak Governorate, on Oct. 23. Karak is about 90 kilometers (55 miles) south of Amman. Nine people were killed and at least 34 were wounded in the attack, according to multiplereports.
As of Monday, three men have been taken into custody in relation to the attack.
Here are four things to know about the deadly attack on a church in Jordan described as a “massacre.”
1. Security forces arrest 3 suspects over church attack
During a raid on Monday, Jordanian security forces arrested three men suspected of the attack on the Greek Orthodox church that left nine people dead and at least 34 wounded.
According to the Public Security Directorate (PSD), security forces apprehended the three men following a shootout during the dawn operation in the Jordanian city of Karak. The three suspects were injured during the shootout, but none of the security forces are reported to have been injured.
Jordan’s Interior Minister, Mazen Al-Faraya, said in a phone interview with state TV Al-Mamlaka that the three suspects were “identified early on in the wake of the terrorist incident.” The interior minister added that the security services had “employed all the means at their disposal to apprehend them.”
“The security services have fulfilled their duties, resulting in the capture of those who carried out this terrorist act,” he continued. “[The suspects] put up fierce resistance but were ultimately subdued and taken into custody, having sustained severe injuries.”