Gunmen Kill Nine at Greek Orthodox Church in Jordan During Funeral Service
Three armed attackers opened fire on mourners at St. George's Greek Orthodox Church in Hmoud, Jordan on October 23, 2026, killing nine people and wounding 40 others. King Abdullah II visited the region and vowed the perpetrators would face the harshest retaliation. Jordan declared three days of national mourning.
Three gunmen opened fire on mourners attending a funeral at St. George's Greek Orthodox Church in Hmoud village, Karak Governorate, Jordan on October 23, 2026. Nine people were killed and 40 others wounded in the attack, which began around 3 p.m. local time.
CCTV footage verified by international news outlets showed three attackers arriving by vehicle and firing on the church grounds with handguns and at least one AK-47. Approximately 150 to 200 people were attending the funeral when the shooting began. Witnesses said the attackers fired for several minutes as attendees sought cover under pews and behind walls.
Jordanian Interior Minister Mazen Al Farrayeh described the gunmen as "a group of extremists." An unverified video circulated online in which the assailants appeared to pledge allegiance to the Islamic State, though officials had not confirmed the group's identity as of October 24.
King Abdullah II traveled to Karak and visited hospitals treating the wounded, wearing a field uniform. He vowed the perpetrators would be met with the "harshest retaliation" and handled with an "iron fist." Prime Minister Jafar Hassan condemned the "terrorist ideology" behind the attack and said the state would not permit societal divisions.
The Jordanian Armed Forces airlifted several critically injured victims to the King Hussein Medical Center in Amman. The government declared three days of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast across the kingdom.
Solidarity vigils were organized across Jordan, with leaders from both Christian and Muslim communities participating to demonstrate national unity. The United States, Pakistan, and several regional neighbors issued strong condemnations of the attack.
The Karak Governorate has historically been known for peaceful coexistence between its Christian and Muslim communities, making the attack particularly shocking to residents and national observers alike. Jordanian authorities launched a manhunt for the perpetrators following the shooting.
