Official: Jordan attackers had suicide vests, planned other assaults

The people who staged attacks in Jordan’s southern city of Karak had suicide vests and other weapons, and were planning other attacks, Interior Minister Salamah Hamad said today.

Hamad did not give details on the identity or nationality of yesterday’s attackers, saying an investigation was still ongoing.

Jordanian security forces said they killed four “terrorist outlaws” after flushing them out of a castle in the southern city of Karak where they had holed up after a shoot-out that killed nine people.

Four assailants shot at police targets in the town on Karak yesterday, officials said. The men, who were later killed, were carrying automatic weapons. Large quantities of explosives, weapons and suicide belts were seized in a hideout, the statement said.

A Canadian woman, three other civilians and five police officers were among the nine killed during the exchange of gunfire between the assailants and security forces.

At least 29 people were hospitalised, some with serious injuries.

Earlier, government spokesman Mohammad Al-Momani said a manhunt to “eliminate” the gunmen had entered its final phase.

Jordan’s position made it vulnerable to spillover of violence, Al-Momani said.

“When we are in a region engulfed with fire from every side you expect that such events happen,” the official said.

Witnesses said exchanges of fire continued for several hours between the gunmen and security forces. Police said earlier they had rescued 10 tourists and trapped inside the historic site when the gunmen went into the castle.

Video footage on social media showed security forces taking groups of young Asian tourists up the castle’s steep steps to its main entrance as gunshots were heard overhead.

The castle is one of Jordan’s most popular tourist attractions.

Jordan’s security forces carry out operation after a gunmen attacked several police patrols in the southern city of Karak, Jordan on December 18, 2016 [Salah Malkawi / Anadolu Agency]

Jordan’s security forces carry out operation after the gunmen attacked several police patrols in the southern city of Karak, Jordan on December 18, 2016 [Salah Malkawi / Anadolu Agency]

Jordan’s security forces carry out operation after the gunmen attacked several police patrols in the southern city of Karak, Jordan on December 18, 2016 [Salah Malkawi / Anadolu Agency]

Jordan’s security forces carry out operation after a gunmen attacked several police patrols in the southern city of Karak, Jordan on December 18, 2016 [Salah Malkawi / Anadolu Agency]