Jordan retaliates with airstrikes in response to church attack
AMMAN, Jordan — The Jordanian air force conducted strikes against groups in Syria following an attack on a Greek Orthodox Church in Karak that left nine dead and over 40 injured, Jordanian state media reported Monday.
The military operation reportedly resulted in many casualties among the targeted groups and the destruction of several vehicles. However, specific details about the groups involved or the exact locations of the strikes were not disclosed.
Meanwhile, Syrian state television reported civilian casualties from the Jordanian airstrikes near al-Masmiyah in the southern province of Daraa.
In a related development, Jordanian authorities arrested three men connected to last week’s attack during a dawn operation that also involved a shootout, resulting in injuries for all of the apprehended individuals.
The church attack occurred during a funeral in Karak, located approximately 90 kilometers south of Amman. This area is known for its minority Christian population.
This shocking incident prompted a national outcry and led Jordan to declare three days of mourning. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the motivations of the assailants remain unclear.
The arrested trio has been identified as brothers Hazzah Zaidan Mohammad, Mishal Zaidan Mohammad, and their brother-in-law Ahmad Sami Hussein. All three were apprehended in Karak.
Jordan’s Public Security Directorate described the suspects as “takfiri,” a term for Sunni militants, but noted they do not belong to any organized terrorist group.
Maj. Gen. Obaidallah Abd Rabbo Al-Maayta stated, “They only represent themselves,” while also revealing that a significant cache of weapons was found in a house linked to their capture.
The Interior Minister, Mazen Al-Faraya, stated that the attack stemmed from “a terroristic, extremist way of thinking” that needs addressing to prevent future incidents.
Amid the turmoil, King Abdullah II directed authorities to adopt stringent measures against those he referred to as outlaws of Islam and any individuals threatening the cohesion of Jordanian society.
He emphasized a commitment to ensure that the terrorists face justice, asserting that no divisive ideologies would be tolerated.
Relatives of the victims expressed relief over the arrests, sharing that while the tragedy is overwhelming, this development provided some solace for their grief.
“Despite the profound and immense tragedy, what happened today has eased our grief — and the grief of the Jordanian people — not just for us, the families of the martyrs,” stated Khaled al-Borqan, a survivor connected to three of the victims.
Although there was some joy in the news, the enduring pain of the incident was also acknowledged, with one relative saying, “We will not forget this agony for years to come,” reports BritPanorama.
