Nine people have died following a gun attack on a Greek Orthodox church in southern Jordan, officials confirmed Saturday. The assault took place on Friday in the village of Hammoud, located in the Karak governorate, during a funeral procession. One of the wounded victims succumbed to injuries, raising the death toll to nine, according to Health Minister Ibrahim al-Bdour. An additional 26 people remain hospitalized, with one listed in critical condition.

Jordanian authorities reported that multiple gunmen stormed the church compound and opened fire on civilians gathered there. Videos broadcast by state media showed three assailants armed with pistols and a long firearm entering the church premises from a street entrance and firing into the crowd.

Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya condemned the act as a “horrific” terrorist attack, stating that security forces were operating around the clock to apprehend those responsible. He said the perpetrators bore no relation to the country’s values and that the incident would strengthen Jordan’s determination to combat terrorism.

King Abdullah II also denounced the attack, promising a strong response. In a post on social media platform X, the king vowed to respond with “an iron fist” against those threatening the nation. That evening, the monarch visited Karak and later a local hospital, where he met with victims and medical personnel. In footage released by the Royal Court, the king, dressed in military uniform, reassured an injured patient that Jordan “is ours and we will not abandon it.”

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan declared a three-day national mourning period beginning Friday, ordering flags to be flown at half-mast across government and public institutions. Mohammed Al-Momani, Minister of Government Communications, confirmed ongoing investigations into the attack.

Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen fired continuously for approximately five minutes before fleeing the scene. Between 150 and 200 individuals were present at the church and its vicinity during the attack, with most victims estimated to be between 50 and 70 years old.

Karak hosts a notable Christian minority within Jordan, a Muslim-majority country where Christians comprise roughly two to three percent of the population. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in Jordan condemned the attack and affirmed that efforts intended to displace Christians would only strengthen their resolve and connection to the land.

Mohammed Al-Khalayleh, Minister of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites, emphasized that places of worship are inviolable, describing the violation as unacceptable on religious, moral, and national grounds. He underscored national unity as a non-negotiable principle.

The attack drew regional and international condemnation. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the shooting a “heinous terrorist attack,” reiterating that terrorism has no religion or homeland and aims to undermine coexistence. The United Nations Secretary-General’s office described the assault—a violent act against a place of worship during a funeral procession—as especially egregious.