Saudi Arabia condemns Jordan church attack as 11 Arab nations express solidarity

AMMAN — Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a church in Jordan's southern Karak governorate that killed seven people and injured 27 others, joining a wave of condemnation from 11 Arab countries and regional organizations.In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry denounced in the strongest terms the "cowardly terrorist act" targeting the church, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of innocent people.The Kingdom reaffirmed its full solidarity with Jordan's government and people and its categorical rejection of all terrorist acts aimed at undermining the country's security and stability.Saudi Arabia also extended its deepest condolences and sympathy to the victims' families and the Jordanian government and people, expressing its wishes for the country's continued security and safety.The attack, which targeted mourners attending a funeral at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Hamoud village, Karak governorate, killed seven people and injured 27, according to Jordan's Public Security Directorate.Unidentified gunmen opened fire at the church, with Jordanian public broadcaster Al-Mamlaka TV reporting, citing an unnamed source, that two assailants stepped out of a vehicle and began shooting during the funeral.The attack prompted widespread condemnation from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, as well as the Arab League and the Arab Interior Ministers Council.Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy condemned attacks on places of worship as "an unacceptable terrorist act and a crime condemned by every standard."He expressed support for Jordan's efforts to protect its security and stability and called for national unity against attempts to spread division and chaos.The Arab Interior Ministers Council also expressed full solidarity with Jordan and confidence in the country's security agencies to apprehend those responsible.Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the attack violated the sanctity of places of worship, the deceased and mourners."Terrorism has neither a religion nor a homeland," Aoun said, warning that such acts seek to undermine coexistence and fuel sectarian divisions.The Syrian Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its support for Jordan's security, stability and national unity, while Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein conveyed Baghdad's solidarity during a telephone conversation with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.The Palestinian presidency condemned the targeting of innocent civilians and places of worship, stressing that such crimes cannot be justified under any circumstances.Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh, Hamas and Palestine's Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs also denounced the attack.The committee called on Palestinian churches to ring their bells on Friday evening and urged Muslims and Christians to participate in a solidarity gathering in Bethlehem's Manger Square on Sunday.Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi pledged support for Jordan against all forms of violence and terrorism, while the Egyptian Foreign Ministry and Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb issued separate condemnations.The UAE condemned terrorism targeting Jordan's security, while Oman denounced violence against places of worship and the intimidation of civilians.Kuwait and Qatar expressed support for Jordan's measures to preserve national security and stability, while Bahrain backed efforts to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.Jordanian Interior Minister Mazin Al Farrayeh said security agencies were working around the clock to track down the attackers, cautioning that it was too early to determine their identities or affiliations.King Abdullah II pledged the harshest punishment for those responsible for the attack.