Jordan says security forces captured three suspects in Karak church attack; toll rises to nine dead

As of 6:54 a.m. ET, Oct. 26, 2026

Jordanian security forces captured three suspects in Friday's attack on a church in Hmoud village in Karak governorate after a pre-dawn armed standoff on Monday, the Public Security Directorate (PSD) said, according to the state news agency Petra.

Petra now puts the toll from the attack at nine dead and 34 injured. Its last official figure, on Oct. 24, was eight dead. Petra did not say when the ninth victim died.

The arrests

Search and tracking operations led intelligence teams to the suspects' hideout in an abandoned house in Karak governorate, the PSD said, according to Petra. When ordered to surrender, the suspects opened fire, the PSD said. Security forces returned fire, wounding and disarming all three before taking them into custody. No security personnel were hurt, and firearms and ammunition were found at the site, according to the PSD.

"Terrorism has no place among us," the PSD said in its statement, according to Petra. Petra published the PSD account at 5:58 AM Amman time on Monday (10:58 PM ET Sunday).

Reuters, citing Jordanian state television, reported that security forces had arrested three suspects over the attack, which it said killed nine.

What officials said

Government Communication Minister and spokesperson Mohammad Momani said in a post on X early Monday that all three suspects were injured and taken into custody after an armed clash in which they refused to surrender, Petra reported. "We stand vigilant and will strike with an iron fist, without mercy or leniency, against anyone who attempts to compromise Jordan's security and the safety of its citizens," Momani said, according to Petra.

Crown Prince Hussein said on Instagram that the security services had kept their promise to the people of Karak to arrest those responsible, Petra reported.

Jordanian officials have called the attack a terrorist act. The three have not been named, and no charges against them have been announced.

What is not known

Authorities have not identified the suspects, given their condition or said what motive investigators believe was behind the attack. The PSD did not say where in Karak governorate the house was or exactly when the operation took place.