Jordanian Court Sentences Three Men to Death for Karak Church Attack

The Jordanian State Security Court sentenced three men to death on November 15, 2026, for a fatal terrorist attack targeting a Greek Orthodox Saint George church in the Karak Governorate. The court convicted the men for terrorist acts resulting in death, conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, and promoting terrorist ideas. One of the convicted men was also found guilty of providing funds for terrorist activities.

Details of the Karak attack

The armed attack occurred on October 23, 2026, in Hammoud village during a funeral service. The violence resulted in nine deaths and injured between 20 and 40 people. The victims and the location of the attack made this one of the deadliest incidents against the Christian minority in several decades. The suspects were identified as two brothers and a relative by marriage.

Security forces arrested the three suspects on October 26, 2026, following a shootout in an abandoned house located in Karak. The suspects sustained wounds during the arrest process. The court conducted hearings regarding the case via video link on November 4, November 8, and November 11, 2026, to reach its verdict.

Security and legal responses

Jordanian authorities responded to the October attack by conducting airstrikes against militant targets located in southern Syria. These military actions caused tension with Syrian authorities regarding the possibility of civilian casualties. Following the attack, the Jordanian government introduced amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Law for consideration by the House of Representatives.

Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya stated that investigations are ongoing. The minister noted that current evidence shows no link between the convicted suspects and other militant cells. The legal proceedings were conducted under the provisions of No. 55 of 2006, the specific Anti-Terrorism Law used for the convictions.

Regional stability and context

The attack took place in Karak, a location situated south of Amman. While different reports vary on the exact distance, the area is located approximately 90 to 180 km from the capital. Jordan is generally considered one of the more stable countries in the Middle East, making the targeted attack on a religious site a significant security event for the region.

The court's decision concludes a legal process that began shortly after the October incident. The convictions address the conspiracy and the promotion of terrorist ideologies alongside the physical acts of violence and the provision of funding for such activities.

Glossary

• Karak Governorate — Karak Governorate is a governorate in Jordan. Its capital city is Al-Karak.
• southern Syria — Southern Syria is a geographical term referring to the southern portion of either the Ottoman-period Vilayet of Syria or the modern-day Arab Republic of Syria.
• Anti-Terrorism Law — An Anti-Terrorism Law is legislation passed by governments to combat terrorism. In Jordan, the specific law used for certain convictions is No. 55 of 2006.
• Amman — Amman is a modern and cosmopolitan city in Jordan. It is the capital of the country and contains numerous ancient ruins and cultural sites.