State media in Jordan say 3 arrested in deadly church attack

Jordanian state television has reported that public security services have arrested three people in connection with a deadly attack on a church on Friday. 

Friday's attack on the Greek Orthodox place of worship in Karak governorate, about 120 kilometres southwest of the capital Amman, prompted King Abdullah, a U.S. partner in the fight against Islamist militant groups, to order security forces to respond with an “iron fist” to what authorities described as extremist terrorism.

Gunmen entered the church during a funeral service on Friday, firing for several minutes in broad daylight, killing nine and wounding 40 people in a rare attack on Jordan's Christian minority. 

The funerals of the nine killed were held on Sunday. Security forces were deployed around the church and cemetery in the village of Hamoud where the funerals for the victims were held.

Jordan's King Abdullah condemned the “despicable terrorist act” as he chaired a National Security Council meeting on Saturday. He said there was no room for leniency when it comes to the lives of Jordanians, according to the royal court.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack in the kingdom. Authorities there say they have foiled several Islamist plots in recent years.

Eyewitness account

Sahar al-Halsa, who was inside the church during the attack, said she hid behind a pillar as she heard the shooting and people screaming in panic during a funeral service for her cousin's daughter.

When she rushed outside in the chaos, she said she spotted the assailants and another cousin lying on the ground wounded.

“I went to him and said: 'Assem, Assem, my darling, answer me',” she said.

She said he opened his eyes to look at her, but then “he was gone”.

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Jordan church attack Greek orthodox