Jordanian sources confirmed that the perpetrators of the Hamoud Church attack, who were arrested early Monday, had been hiding in an abandoned house in the village of Jdeideh, neighboring Hamoud, where the terrorist attack killed nine people and wounded dozens of churchgoers who had gathered to offer condolences.
Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the terrorists had remained inside the abandoned house for 60 hours, managing to conceal their presence without attracting the attention of nearby residents. The house is located six kilometers from Hamoud village.
The same sources said the perpetrators watched the funeral procession for the victims of the Hamoud Church attack pass by from their hiding place.
They added that the three suspects were two brothers and their cousin.
Large-Scale Security Operation
Providing details of the operation to arrest the three terrorists, the sources said security forces used drones and remotely controlled robots.
During the operation, the terrorists opened fire from the roof of the house where they were hiding, targeting drones in an attempt to prevent them from pinpointing their location through aerial mapping.
Security forces also deployed robots into the confrontation area to verify whether the targets had been hit.
Security personnel had earlier helped evacuate residents from the area surrounding the suspects' hideout without drawing attention, allowing the terrorists to remain unaware of the preparations for the operation.
The suspects had taken refuge in a house abandoned by its occupants after they were forced to leave following a murder, as the victim's family sought either revenge or reconciliation.
The perpetrators chose the house to increase their chances of evading the security forces.
The shooting of churchgoers bore the hallmarks of takfiri extremist organizations that may have links to foreign groups, an issue investigators are expected to clarify.
Security Statement
Jordan's Public Security Directorate announced that joint special investigation and raid teams, working alongside other security agencies, had located the three terrorists responsible for the "cowardly attack" against Jordanian citizens at a church in Hamoud village, Karak Governorate, early Monday.
The directorate said the suspects were located following continuous search and combing operations.
In a statement, it confirmed that the three terrorists had barricaded themselves inside an abandoned house, refused to surrender and opened fire on security personnel.
Security forces responded in accordance with the rules of engagement, eventually gaining control of the situation and arresting all three suspects after they were wounded. No members of the security force were injured.
The directorate added that a quantity of firearms and ammunition was seized following the arrests and a search of the premises.
