Islamic State-linked gunmen killed nine worshippers in Jordan church attack

Situation Overview

On 25 October, thousands of Jordanians attended funerals for nine people killed on 23 October in a shooting at a church in western Jordan, according to reports published on 25 October. Eight of the nine victims were buried in a prepared grave in front of the Church of St George in the village of Hamud, in Karak Governorate. The killings were carried out by armed men described as linked to the Islamic State (IS). The funerals were presided over by Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Greek Orthodox Church, which the victims belonged to, with the procession broadcast live by Jordanian public television Al Mamlaka. No further confirmed details on arrests or the identities of the attackers were reported in the cluster. The next concrete development to watch is any official identification of the perpetrators and any related security measures following the IS-linked attribution.

Geopolitical Implications

1. 01

   The Islamic State-linked attack on a church increases pressure on Jordan’s internal security and counter-terrorism posture.

2. 02

   The targeting of a Greek Orthodox community may heighten sectarian sensitivity and the need for protective measures around places of worship.

Key Signals

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  Any official Jordanian security update identifying the attackers or confirming IS operational links.

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  Announcements of additional protection measures for churches and other religious sites in Jordan.

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