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Gunmen Kill 10, Including 7 Officers and Canadian Tourist, in Jordan Gunmen Kill 10, Including 7 Officers and Canadian Tourist, in Jordan
(about 4 hours later)
AMMAN, Jordan — Seven Jordanian security personnel, a Canadian tourist and two Jordanian civilians were shot and killed by gunmen in the southern city of Karak on Sunday, according to a statement from the Public Security Department. AMMAN, Jordan — Seven Jordanian security officers, a Canadian tourist and two Jordanian civilians were shot and killed by gunmen in the southern city of Karak on Sunday, according to a joint statement from the Public Security Department and the Jordanian armed forces.
The violence began when a patrol was sent to check on reports of a house on fire. When security officers arrived on the scene, they were met with a barrage of gunfire from inside the home, injuring two officers. The gunmen fled the scene, according to the statement. The security forces later captured and killed four of the gunmen, the statement said. It did not specify the total number of what security officials called “terrorist outlaws” involved in the attacks, or suggest a motive. Officials were also investigating whether the gunmen had ties to any terrorist organization.
The violence began when a patrol was sent to check on reports of a house on fire. When security officers arrived on the scene, they were met with a barrage of gunfire from inside the home, injuring two officers. The gunmen fled, according to the statement.
Gunmen then attacked a police station in the city.Gunmen then attacked a police station in the city.
Later in the day, the police were informed that gunmen were hiding inside the Karak Crusader castle, a prominent tourist attraction on a hilltop. Later in the day, the police were informed that gunmen were hiding inside the Karak Crusader castle, a prominent tourist attraction on a hilltop. The gunmen fired at several policemen from the castle, security officials said.
The statement confirmed the death of four members of the security forces, three gendarme forces, two civilians and a Canadian tourist, without specifying exactly where the deaths had occurred. Twenty-seven people were injured, the statement said. A cache of weapons was seized from the castle, as well as explosives, suicide vests and more weapons from the home where the men first encountered the officers, said Amer Saratwi, a spokesman for the Public Security Department.
Prime Minister Hani Mulki, addressing members of Parliament, said that several people had been killed and that Jordan’s special forces had surrounded an area in the city where five or six of the suspected attackers were holed up. The prime minister added that there was no information about the attackers or their motives, but described them as “outlaws.” The statement confirmed the death of four police officers, three gendarme forces, two civilians and a Canadian tourist, without specifying exactly where the deaths had occurred. Twenty-seven people were injured, the statement said.
Videos released by Karak residents and posted on local news websites showed tribal leaders and young townsmen holding rifles and aiding officers in the hunt for the gunmen near the castle. Prime Minister Hani Mulki, addressing members of Parliament, said that several people had been killed and that Jordan’s special forces had surrounded an area in the city where five or six of the attackers were holed up. The prime minister added that there was no information about the attackers or their motives, but described them as “outlaws.”
Videos released by Karak residents and posted on local news websites showed tribal leaders and young local residents holding rifles and aiding officers in the hunt for the gunmen near the castle.
Terrorist attacks in Jordan, a crucial ally of the United States in the region, are relatively rare, but the country is constantly on alert because of the threat posed by extremists, particularly from the Islamic State.Terrorist attacks in Jordan, a crucial ally of the United States in the region, are relatively rare, but the country is constantly on alert because of the threat posed by extremists, particularly from the Islamic State.