Jordanian security forces have arrested three men over an unprecedented attack on a Greek Orthodox Church in the southern Karak governorate, which killed nine people and wounded nearly 40 others.

The Public Security Directorate said the three suspects were arrested following a dawn shootout and that all three were wounded. No members of the security forces were injured in the overnight operation.

“Following a joint security operation, specialized investigation and raid teams apprehended the three terrorists responsible for the cowardly terrorist attack,” the state-run al-Mamlaka TV news channel said on the social media platform X on Monday.

The broadcaster added that all three were wounded during an armed clash.

Jordanian Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya identified the three men as those responsible for the attack.

“The security services have fulfilled their duties, resulting in the capture of those who carried out this terrorist act,” he said in a phone interview with al-Mamlaka TV.

He added, “They put up fierce resistance against the security forces, but were ultimately subdued and taken into custody, having sustained severe injuries.”

Faraya noted that there “are three individuals involved; they were identified early on in the wake of the terrorist incident, and the security services employed all the means at their disposal to apprehend them.”

Hezbollah condemns ‘heinous’ church attack in Jordan amid international outcry

The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement has condemned the “heinous” terrorist attack on a church in southern Jordan that killed seven people and injured dozens.

According to Jordanian authorities, gunmen stormed the compound of St. George’s Church in the village of Hammoud in Karak governorate during a funeral procession on Friday and opened fire.

On Saturday, King Abdullah II, who met with victims after the attack, said during a National Security Council meeting that “the security and safety of Jordanians are a red line.”

He added that “the hand of justice will reach every terrorist.”

The monarch directed authorities on Friday to respond with “an iron fist” against what he called the outlaws of Islam and anyone attempting to undermine the unity of the Jordanian people.

International condemnations poured in after the deadly attack, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saying attacks against civilians and places of worship are unacceptable.

“The UN stands with the Jordanian people and government,” he posted on X.

On Sunday, eight of the nine victims were laid to rest next to the church, in a funeral that drew a huge crowd.

Karak is home to a significant Christian community in the Muslim-majority kingdom.