Jordan holds mass funeral for victims of deadly church shooting in Karak

Thousands of mourners assembled in southern Jordan on Sunday to bury eight victims of a shooting attack at a Christian church, as security forces continued their search for the perpetrators.

The funeral services took place next to St George’s Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Hamoud, situated southwest of Amman in Karak province. Two days earlier, gunmen targeted mourners attending a service at the same site, leaving nine people dead and dozens injured. Jordan declared three days of national mourning following the rare assault on the country's Christian minority. A ninth victim, Mohammed al-Qasous, is scheduled for burial on Monday, according to family remarks reported by AFP.

Coffins draped in Jordanian national flags were carried through the gathered crowds while priests conducted prayers and security forces maintained a heavy presence. Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan attended the ceremony representing King Abdullah, joined by cabinet ministers, senior military figures, and civilian officials, the state news agency Petra reported.

Witnesses recounted scenes of panic during Friday's assault. Sahar al-Halsa told Reuters that she took cover behind a pillar when gunfire broke out and subsequently discovered her wounded cousin, Assem, who died shortly afterward. Father Yohanna Hamati told AFP that between 170 and 200 people were present for Friday's funeral when shooting began outside, prompting terrified attendees to seek shelter inside the building. The gunfire left broken windows, bloodstains, and bullet holes across the church's walls and wooden pews.

Jordanian officials have characterized the incident as extremist terrorism. King Abdullah, who visited hospitalized survivors, pledged a decisive response, though investigators have yet to confirm if the shooters belonged to an established armed group. No organization has asserted responsibility for the violence.

The tragedy prompted displays of unity across faith communities. Christians comprise around 3 percent of the predominantly Muslim nation, and Muslims were also reported among the wounded. Volunteers brought flowers to a Karak hospital bearing the slogan, "Our loss is one." In Washington, DC, Jordanian expatriates held a candlelight vigil outside their embassy, where Ambassador Dina Kawar declared that attempts to incite sectarian friction would fail. Father Hamati also urged national unity, telling AFP that both Christians and Muslims shared in the suffering.