UAE condemns deadly Jordan church attack in call with Safadi
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed pledged the UAE's solidarity with Jordan during a phone call with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Friday, after gunmen attacked a church funeral in Karak governorate, killing seven people and injuring 34.
Sara Khan
UAE backs Jordan's security measures
In the October 23 call, Sheikh Abdullah, the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, strongly condemned the shooting. He backed Jordan's efforts to maintain security and stability and keep citizens, residents and visitors safe. Safadi serves as Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.
Sheikh Abdullah offered his condolences to the bereaved families and wished those injured a speedy recovery. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs separately conveyed condolences to Jordan, its people and the victims' families, along with wishes for the wounded to recover swiftly.
The ministry also reaffirmed the UAE's condemnation of terrorist and criminal acts and its opposition to violence, extremism and terrorism intended to undermine security and stability.
Gunmen fired on mourners
The attack struck a funeral at Hamoud Church. A relative of one of those killed told The National that the gunmen drove to the church, shot at mourners and fled. A witness interviewed by Al Mamlaka TV estimated that the gunfire lasted about five minutes.
The same witness said 150 to 200 people were inside the church and on its grounds, and that most victims were between 50 and 70 years old. Jordan's Public Security Directorate reported that 27 of the wounded remained in hospitals as security forces searched for the attackers.
Al Mamlaka aired video that appeared to come from a church security camera. It showed three people shooting at the building from a sidewalk, taking cover behind trees and a low wall, then running toward the entrance. CCTV footage verified by the BBC showed that three gunmen carried out the attack; each had a handgun, and at least one also carried an AK-47 rifle.
A member of Karak's Halasah family told The National that the dead included three doctors. "This was a direct attack on the church. Christians were the target," the relative said.
King visits Karak as officials assess attackers' links
King Abdullah II traveled to Karak hours after the shooting, according to Reuters reporting carried by Al-Monitor. Calling the incident a terrorist attack, he promised a forceful response against those responsible and said it would not weaken national unity.
"Every Jordanian life is precious, and we will strike with an iron fist against those who dare to threaten our nation," the king said.
Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya described the attackers as "extremists" but cautioned that officials could not yet determine whether they were connected to any known group within Jordan or abroad.
Separately, an official Jordanian source cited by Shafaq News described the perpetrators' religious ideology as "takfiri," referring to those who declare other Muslims apostates. The source offered no further details.
Karak previously experienced an Islamic State attack in 2016, when militants targeted Kerak Castle, killing 10 people and wounding dozens, according to Wikipedia. Those gunmen were killed following a standoff with Jordanian security forces.
The Jordanian government announced that Prime Minister Jafar Hassan would lead a security meeting on Friday at the Karak Governorate building. Ministers and relevant officials were to attend to review the authorities' response to what the government called a "heinous terrorist crime."
