Somalia condemns deadly church attack in Jordan’s Karak province

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia condemned a deadly attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan’s Karak governorate, expressing solidarity with the Jordanian government and families of the victims.

Eight people were killed and dozens wounded after gunmen opened fire Friday during a funeral at a church in Hmoud village, about 90 kilometers south of Amman, according to Jordanian authorities. The death toll rose from seven to eight Saturday after one of the critically injured victims died in hospital.

“Somalia knows the human cost of terrorism and rejects violence and extremism in all their forms,” the ministry added.

Somalia extended condolences to the families of those killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Jordanian authorities have described the shooting as a terrorist attack. Health officials said at least 40 people were wounded, with dozens still receiving treatment Saturday.

Jordan declared three days of national mourning following the attack, with flags ordered lowered to half-staff at government institutions.

Authorities have not publicly identified the attackers or announced a motive. Jordanian security forces continued efforts to identify and arrest those responsible.

King Abdullah II condemned the attack and vowed that those responsible would face justice, while Prime Minister Jafar Hassan described the shooting as an assault on all Jordanians.

The attack has drawn condemnation from governments and international organizations across the region and beyond.