A "worrisome" attack that targeted both Jordanians and foreigners and
which could have "repercussions" on the tourism industry, one of the
main resources of the national economy.
What is also of concern is the
fact that this was no lone wolf attack as in the past but an organized
group comprised by mainly Jordanians", says Fr. Rifat Baader, director
of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Amman, speaking to AsiaNews. He was commenting on yesterday’s attack on police and the assault on the medieval castle of Karak.
The country is "united" against fundamentalism, terror, violence, the
priest adds, "but we are on high alert: this time it was six Jordanian
and a Syrian terrorist. Before today we were led to believe that
terrorism was a threat from the outside, we now know that there are
compatriots who want to undermine national unity and target the country.
"
The assault started around noon yesterday. An armed group opened fire
on the police, near a center of the town of Karak, a city of 170
thousand inhabitants in the south of Jordan, 150 km from the capital
Amman. An Italian hospital is active area managed by nuns, in the lead
in the hospitality and assistance for refugees fleeing wars in Syria and
Iraq.
Civilians and seven policemen died in the attack. Ten victims in
total, including two Jordanian civilians and a Canadian tourist. 27
other people were injured.
The commando then headed towards the castle of Karak, one of the most
famous remnants of the Crusades in the region; the assailants broke in
and took some visitors hostage, among whom there were also many tourists
from Malaysia.
The siege ended in the evening, with a blitz of Jordanian security
forces which allowed the release of the hostages. There has been no
official communications about the terrorists killed by the SWAT team.
The police reported the seizure of weapons and explosive belts, found
in a hideout used by "outlawed terrorists".
However, at the moment it
is unclear whether the assailants belong to militia groups or have ties
to jihadist movements active in the region. Official sources, speaking
anonymously, believe that there are "extremists" linked to the Islamic
State or al Qaeda behind the attack and that there is the risk of more
violence in the coming weeks.
"We do not yet know the affiliation of the terrorists - says Fr.
Rifat Baader - and we're still waiting to see if there are official
claims. The most worrying thing is that this was a group, composed
mostly of Jordanians".
The fear is of the presence of "internal cells"
ready to sow violence, however the priest emphasizes the "pride of a
people" gathered around King Abdullah and the highest state
institutions.
"We have confidence in the future - said the director of the Catholic
Center for Studies and Media in Amman - yesterday we saw images of
ordinary citizens helping the police capture the terrorists and this is
comforting. Every time we get hit, the country is more united and
stronger”.
"Of course we must not underestimate the risks - he added - because
we are in the middle of a region that is still burning. The wars in
Syria and Iraq, the offensive for the liberation of the territories
under Daesh control [Arabic acronym for the Islamic State] have pushed
the jihadists into neighboring countries including Jordan. We must be
careful, but Christians and Muslims of this land are united against
terrorism”.
Fr. Rifat does not rule out the danger of "new attacks" and therefore
joins the call of Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan, Msgr. Maroun
Lahham, who invites us to "pray for peace in Jordan and the region."
"Our bishop - said Fr. Rifat – expresses his condolences to the victims'
families and asks the churches to pray for peace. There will be no
festivities and illuminations, we will reduce celebrations but we will
pray and participate in the functions with even greater faith and
recollection".