Nine people were killed in an armed attack on a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hamoud, Jordan, on 23 October 2026. At least 34 people were wounded during the assault. Jordanian security forces arrested three suspects on 26 October 2026, identifying them as two brothers and their brother-in-law. Jordan’s Director of Public Security, Major-General Obeidallah al-Maaytah, addressed the arrests shortly after the operation. He stated, "God willing, they only represent themselves." Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident in the Karak governorate.
Details of the Arrest
Security forces located the three suspects hiding inside an abandoned house near the Karak governorate. Officers engaged the men in a brief shootout before securing the site and taking the suspects into custody. The apprehension process involved a tactical approach to the structure where the three men were discovered.
No security personnel sustained injuries during the operation to apprehend the three individuals. The tactical team successfully neutralized the immediate threat posed by the suspects during the exchange of fire. Authorities maintained a perimeter around the structure until the situation was resolved. The suspects remain in government detention as investigations into the attack continue. The site of the arrest, an abandoned house in the vicinity of the Karak governorate, is now being processed for further forensic evidence.
Ongoing Investigation and Security
Senior government security officials confirmed there are no current indications of links between the suspects and other militant cells. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya addressed the status of the inquiry during a briefing regarding the events in the Karak governorate. He said, "The file has not yet been closed; investigations are still ongoing. As of today, there are no indications of any links between them and other cells."
The government continues to monitor potential connections as part of the broader effort to clarify the motives behind the attack in Hamoud. Security personnel are reviewing evidence collected from the site of the apprehension to ensure no further threats remain. Official statements from the Ministry of Interior emphasize that the current findings are based on the information gathered since the arrests on 26 October 2026. Authorities in Amman maintain that the investigation remains active as they process the details retrieved from the individuals currently in custody. The Ministry of Interior is coordinating with regional security branches to consolidate reports related to the 23 October 2026 incident. Officials have indicated that the interrogation process is being conducted in accordance with national legal protocols to ensure a thorough examination of the events. Further updates will be provided as investigators analyze the materials recovered during the search of the abandoned house. The focus remains on the specific actions of the two brothers and their brother-in-law to determine the sequence of events that led to the casualties at the Greek Orthodox church.
