Three detained after Jordan church attack kills nine

Jordanian authorities detained three suspects on Monday after gunmen attacked a Greek Orthodox church during a funeral in the southern village of Hamoud, killing nine people and wounding dozens.

The shooting occurred Friday in Karak governorate. Security-camera footage broadcast by state-owned Al-Mamlaka television appeared to show three armed men firing toward the church before running to its entrance. Reuters verified the location shown in the footage, but officials have not publicly established the total number of attackers.

Authorities described the shooting as an act of extremist terrorism, while Interior Minister Mazin Al Farrayeh said it was too early to determine whether the attackers were connected to any group inside or outside Jordan. No organization has claimed responsibility. King Abdullah II visited wounded victims and promised a forceful response. Jordan declared three days of national mourning.

Thousands gathered Sunday beside St George’s Greek Orthodox Church for the funerals of eight victims. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan attended alongside ministers and senior officials, while Queen Rania, Crown Prince Hussein and other members of the royal family offered condolences to the victims’ families. The ninth victim was due to be buried Monday.

Christians make up about 3 percent of Jordan’s largely Muslim population, and Muslims were also reported among the wounded. Religious leaders and mourners appealed for unity following the attack.