Nine people, including a Canadian woman, were killed and 27 were wounded Sunday as unknown gunmen fired at police officers at various locations in Jordan, including an ancient castle popular with tourists.
Five policemen, three Jordanian civilians and the Canadian were killed as gunmen shot at law enforcement officers in three areas, Jordan’s Public Service Directorate said.
The heaviest shooting took place late Sunday as law enforcement surrounded five or six gunmen in the castle in the city of Karak, the PSD said. The 12th-century, crusader-era fortress is located about 132 kilometers (82 miles) south of the capital of Amman.
Jordan’s special police forces said that units were combing the castle for gunmen on Sunday, Jordan’s state news agency Petra reported.
Speaking on CNN, Jordan’s former deputy prime minister and current Sen. Ayman al-Safadi said there were believed to have been five gunmen. He said while unconfirmed, there were reports of three gunmen killed. He didn’t know about hostages at the castle.
“There could be people still hiding in the building, probably not venturing out for fear of being shot, but we are not aware of any hostages,” he said.
Shooting at police
The violence began when a police patrol came under gunfire as it responded to a report in al-Qatranah, about 40 kilometers away from Karak. Two policemen were injured and the attackers fled in a vehicle, the statement said.
Shortly after, gunmen fired at another police patrol in Karak and then at a police station from inside the Karak fortress.
Reuters reported the gunmen had holed up in the castle, citing police and security sources who said other tourists were believed to be trapped inside.
It was unclear who is behind the attacks.
Nasser Judeh, Jordan’s deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, tweeted: “Tragic day today. #Jordan remains resilient and tough. God rest the souls of our fallen in eternal peace. #oasis_of_stability”
Unrest hurt tourism
Jordan is a key US ally that has foiled several terror plots. The country has not suffered as much violence as other Arab nations, especially Syria and Iraq, although some attacks have occurred.
Three American service members were shot to death in November outside the Prince Faisal airbase in Al Jafr. American officials said it might have been a terror attack.
In June, at least six members of Jordan’s security forces on the Syrian border were killed in a suicide car bombing launched from the Syrian side in what the government suspects was an attack by ISIS militants.
Jordan has increased security around tourist sites in recent years because because instability in the region has hurt the tourism industry. The Karak castle is a key tourist site in central Jordan.