Local, int’l condemnations pour in over Karak terror attack

AMMAN — Arab and foreign states condemned the terrorist attack that targeted police patrols in Karak on Sunday and resulted in 10 deaths among civilians and security personnel, in addition to at least 22 injuries.

In a statement released by the US embassy in Amman, Washington condemned the attack and expressed its solidarity with Jordan’s government and people.

“We offer our deepest condolences to all the victims and their families, and recognise the bravery of the Jordanian security personnel who died protecting their fellow citizens,” the statement said. 

“We extend our hope for a full and speedy recovery to all the wounded. The United States remains steadfast in our commitments to Jordan, one of our closest allies and partners, and reiterates that such attacks will only reinforce our collective resolve to create a more secure and stable region and world‎,” it added.

Canada’s foreign ministry also denounced the Karak terror attack, in which on Canadian citizen was killed.

John Babcock, spokesperson of the ministry, expressed the Canadian government’s sympathies over the loss of life and its condolences to the family of the Canadian citizen who died in the incident, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Babcock added that embassy officials in Amman are working closely with the authorities in Jordan in these “difficult times”.

Several Gulf countries also condemned the attack.

Bahrain, in a statement released by its foreign ministry, stressed its support for Jordan in fighting terror acts, voicing its solidarity with all procedures Amman takes to spread peace and security, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait issued similar statements, expressing their solidarity with Jordan and condemnation of the terrorist attack.

The Palestinian government also expressed its solidarity with the Kingdom in countering terrorism that attempts to disturb Jordan’s security.

Palestinian Government Spokesperson Yousef Mahmoud expressed Palestine’s condolences to Jordan and the families of the “martyrs”, describing the incident as a heinous crime that represents the mindset of “evil powers”, according to Petra.

Locally, the Lower House condemned the terror act and stressed that such crimes will not destabilise the security of Jordan, which will remain an “oasis of stability”.

The Chamber said such acts are shunned by all Abrahamic faiths and are against all humanitarian values and international laws, Petra reported.

The Fuheis Municipal Council on Sunday, after consultations with local communities and institutions, decided to cancel its Christmas celebrations this year, in solidarity with the victims of the act.

Fuheis families also denounced the crime that resulted in the death of security personnel, according to Petra.

In a statement, the Muslim Brotherhood group denounced the terror act that targeted security personnel while they were doing their job in preserving security, voicing solidarity with the country in these hard times, according to a group statement.

The engineers and artists associations also denounced the attack.

In a statement to The Jordan Times, the engineers syndicate condemned the attack, which targeted security officers, innocent citizens and foreign tourists, expressing its condolences to the families of “the martyrs”, and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.