2016 Al-Karak attack

Last updated

2016 Al-Karak attack
Kerak BW 1.JPG
The Kerak Castle, where the main phase of the attack took place.
Location Al-Karak, Jordan
Date18–21 December 2016
c.15:00 (AST)
TargetSecurity forces, civilians
Attack type
Shootings
Deaths19 (including 5 attackers)
Injured37
PerpetratorsAQMI Flag asymmetric.svg  ISIS [1]

On 18 December 2016, a series of shootings took place in the city of Al-Karak in southern Jordan. The attack started in the vicinity of Al-Karak where a group of unidentified militants ambushed emergency responders and then moved into the city, attacking police patrols and the local police station and finally seeking shelter in the historic Crusader-era Kerak Castle, a popular tourist attraction.

Contents

Severe fog at noon hampered police operations. After an attempt by the Jordanian gendarmerie to besiege the castle, the five attackers were killed following the arrival of the elite Jordanian 71st Special Battalion. Although tourists were present, Jordanian authorities stated that there was no hostage situation; tourists were in a different part of the castle and were unable to leave.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack against the "apostate Jordanian security forces". [2] Terror attacks are rare in Jordan; the country is designated as safe and holds 58th out of 130 in the 2016 Global Terrorism Index. [3]

Background

Jordan is a leading member of the US-led coalition fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group in neighbouring Iraq and Syria. It has carried out air strikes targeting ISIL fighters and hosts coalition troops on its territory. The terrorist group has threatened the country a number of times for its attacks against ISIL, proclaimed King Abdullah II an infidel, and declared their intentions to slaughter him. Muath Al-Kasasbeh, a Jordanian fighter pilot who was born in Al-Karak, was captured by the Islamic State group when his plane went down in Syria in December 2014, and was later burned alive in a cage. In retaliation to the murder of Al-Kasasbeh, Jordanian authorities expedited the execution of convicted terrorists Sajida Mubarak Atrous al-Rishawi and Ziad Khalaf Raja al-Karbouly by hanging in Swaqa Prison in February 2015. [4]

Attack

A street in Al-Karak (2010) 20100924 kerak01.JPG
A street in Al-Karak (2010)

On 18 December 2016, a series of shootings took place in the city of Al-Karak in southern Jordan. The attack started c.15:00 (AST) in the vicinity of Al-Karak where a group of unidentified militants ambushed emergency responders who were dispatched to a false fire call, before moving into Al-Karak. The militants then attacked the local tourism police station before seeking shelter in the Crusader Kerak Castle just across the street, a popular tourist attraction. The castle was later besieged by Jordanian Gendarmerie forces, who believed a number of tourists were being held hostage inside. [5] Reinforcements from Amman included the 71st Special Battalion, who killed four terrorists and ended the attack by midnight. [6] [7] Jordanian authorities stated that there was no hostage situation, but that tourists were in a different part of the castle and were unable to leave. [8] Following the standoff between the security forces and the gunmen, many other tourists who were trapped during the shootout decided to hide in the castle. Jordanian Interior Minister Salameh Hammad also told reporters that the attackers were not aware of the presence of the tourists, thus concluding that the tourists were not hostages but instead were hiding from the gunmen to cover themselves from the shootout. [9]

During the attack, videos posted on social media showed Jordanian civilians, including young people and tribal leaders, taking arms and joining the security forces trying to locate the attackers. [10]

Casualties

Eleven Jordanian security forces, two Jordanian civilians, and a Canadian tourist were killed during the attacks, while 34 Jordanians, two Malaysians, and one Canadian were injured. [11] Four police were later killed in a manhunt, and five attackers were killed in total. A man was also arrested. [12]

Casualties by nationality
CountryDeathsInjured
Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 1334
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 11
Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia [13] 02
Total1437
Jordanian casualties [14]
StatusDeathsInjured
Public Security Directorate 611
General Directorate of Gendarmerie 34
71st Special Battalion 22
Civilians217
Total1334

Aftermath

A number of manhunts were initiated across the kingdom in pursuit of suspected members of the terror cell. King Abdullah paid a visit to the wounded at the King Hussein Medical Center. [15]

A report by (majority government-owned) The Jordan Times published in the day following the attack published interviews with tourists who visited the country the day of the attack. Tourists said they were happy to be in Jordan despite the attack. A 22-year-old German interviewed added that "incidents could happen in any part of the world, and Jordan has managed to remain safe for the past years." Another German tourist stated "it is really important to support the country of Jordan and tourism, and it is a really important economic factor for the country… I think it is important to give a sign that it is still safe, because all the people here are friendly." While an Algerian tourist stated "This is the first time that I visit Jordan, and I will visit it again. I liked it very much. There are many archaeological sites that I have been able to visit." [16] However, experts warned of a potential slump in tourism, which Jordan's economy depends largely on. Figures from the World Travel & Tourism Council show that tourism indirectly accounted for 20.7% of the GDP, and around 288,500 jobs in 2015. Any slump would exacerbate unemployment and poverty in the country. Despite Jordan being designated as safe and holding 58th out of 130 countries in the Global Terrorism Index in 2016, which measures impact of terrorism on countries, Jordan's tourism industry witnessed a downfall trend since 2011 due to regional instability. Furthermore, the Jordanian economy is already struggling with the effects of the flow of 1.4 million Syrian refugees since 2011. [3]

On 22 December, Karak's Tourism Director announced that tourist activities had returned to normal in the city. [17]

47 out of 130 representatives of the Jordanian Parliament presented a motion of no confidence against Salameh Hammad, the Minister of Interior. The MPs accused Hammad of inadequately handling the attack; the motion was supposed to be discussed on 13 January. [18] The motion was not discussed, as the Minister was replaced by Ghaleb Zu'bi in a government reshuffle on 15 January. [19]

Although political analysts acknowledged that Jordan faces greater security risks, they downplayed any effect of this incident on the country's long-term stability. [20]

The Financial Tribune reported on 18 January 2017 that the Jordanian tourism sector remained stable and that the Al-Karak attack did not affect tourist arrivals. [21]

The Jordan Times reported on 13 March 2017 that tourist arrivals to Jordan almost doubled during the first two months of 2017, a change from the downward trend of the past few years. [22]

15 European Union ambassadors visited the castle on 16 March 2017 in a show of solidarity. Andrea Fontana, the EU ambassador to Jordan, called on European nationals to visit Al-Karak saying that "this visit of solidarity with Karak residents shows that Jordan is a safe country". [23]

Reactions

International

Local

King Abdullah II during a meeting at the National Center for Security and Crisis Management with the government stated "we will respond firmly to all those who threaten or attempt to tamper with the security of our country." [32]

Church leaders in governorates across Jordan called for cancelling public Christmas celebrations, to express solidarity with the victims of the attack. Church bells rang in the cities of Fuheis and Karak, mourning the victims of the attack. [33]

On 16 March 2017, NGO Rebuild for Peace teamed up with residents of the Karak area to repair the damage done to the castle. At the event, people also made commemorative and symbolic gestures to the victims and their families. [34]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 Mombasa attacks</span> Terrorist attacks in Kenya

The 2002 Mombasa attacks was a two-pronged terrorist attack on 28 November 2002 in Mombasa, Kenya against an Israeli-owned hotel and a plane belonging to Arkia Airlines. An all-terrain vehicle crashed through a barrier outside the Paradise Hotel and blew up, killing 13 and injuring 80. At the same time, attackers fired two surface-to-air missiles at an Israeli charter plane. The Paradise Hotel was the only Israeli-owned hotel in the Mombasa area. The attacks were believed to be orchestrated by al-Qaeda operatives in Somalia in an attempt to disrupt the Israeli tourist industry on the African continent. Much speculation has occurred as to who the perpetrators are, but no complete list of suspects has been defined. The attack was the second al-Qaeda terrorist operation in Kenya, following the bombing of the U.S. embassy in Nairobi in 1998. Following the attack, the UN Security Council and other nations condemned the bombing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kerak Castle</span> Fortified residence in al-Karak, Jordan

Kerak Castle is a large medieval castle located in al-Karak, Jordan. It is one of the largest castles in the Levant. Construction began in the 1140s, under Pagan and Fulk, King of Jerusalem. The Crusaders called it Crac des Moabites or "Karak in Moab", as it is referred to in history books. It was also colloquially referred to as Krak of the Desert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrorism in Egypt</span> List of terrorist attacks in Egypt from the 1940s to the present day

Terrorism in Egypt in the 20th and 21st centuries has targeted the Egyptian government officials, Egyptian police and Egyptian army members, tourists, Sufi Mosques and the Christian minority. Many attacks have been linked to Islamic extremism, and terrorism increased in the 1990s when the Islamist movement al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya targeted high-level political leaders and killed hundreds – including civilians – in its pursuit of implementing traditional Sharia law in Egypt.

The Jaipur bombings were a series of nine synchronized bomb blasts that took place on 13 May 2008 within a span of fifteen minutes at locations in Jaipur, the capital city of the Indian state of Rajasthan and a tourist destination. Official reports confirm 63 dead with 216 or more people injured. The bombings shocked most of India and resulted in widespread condemnation from leaders across the world with many countries showing solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reactions to the 2008 Mumbai attacks</span>

Reactions to the 2008 Mumbai attacks were on the local, national and international levels. Political reactions in Mumbai and throughout India included a range of resignations and political changes. Other reactions included condemnation of the attacks by an Indian Muslim organisation and Naxalites. International reactions to the attacks was widespread, with many countries and international organisations condemning the attacks and expressing their condolences to the civilian victims. Media coverage highlighted the use of new media and internet social-networking tools in spreading information about the attacks, observing that internet coverage was often faster than more-traditional media sources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Burgas bus bombing</span> Suicide attack at the Burgas Airport in Burgas, Bulgaria

The 2012 Burgas bus bombing was a terrorist attack carried out by a suicide bomber on a passenger bus transporting Israeli tourists at the Burgas Airport in Burgas, Bulgaria, on 18 July 2012. The bus was carrying 42 Israelis, mainly youths, from the airport to their hotels, after arriving on a flight from Tel Aviv. The explosion killed the Bulgarian bus driver and five Israelis and injured 32 Israelis, resulting in international condemnation of the bombing.

The 2014 Farafra ambush occurred on 19 July 2014 when unidentified gunmen ambushed a desert checkpoint in the Farafra Oasis Road in Egypt's New Valley Governorate. Twenty-two border guards were killed in the attack, which was one of the biggest since the July 2013 ouster of Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi and the second at the same checkpoint in less than three months.

Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Jordan. The country had a moratorium on capital punishment between 2006 and 2014. In late 2014 the moratorium was lifted and 11 people were executed. Two more executions followed in 2015, 15 executions took place in 2017 and one in 2021. The method of execution is hanging, although shooting was previously the sole method for carrying out executions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bardo National Museum attack</span> 2015 mass killing of hostages by militants in Tunis, Tunisia

On 18 March 2015, two militants attacked the Bardo National Museum in the Tunisian capital city of Tunis, and took hostages. Twenty-one people, mostly European tourists, were killed at the scene, and an additional victim died ten days later. Around fifty others were injured. The two gunmen, Tunisian citizens Yassine Labidi and Saber Khachnaoui, were killed by police. Police treated the event as a terrorist attack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Kuwait mosque bombing</span> Bombing at a Shia mosque in Kuwait on 26 June 2015

A suicide bombing took place on 26 June 2015 at a Shia mosque in Kuwait. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claimed responsibility for the attack. Sabah al-Sabah, the Emir at the time, arrived at the location of the incident after a short period of time. Twenty-seven people were killed and 227 people were wounded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Sousse attacks</span> Mass shooting at a Tunisian tourist resort on 26 June 2015

On 26 June 2015, a mass shooting occurred at the tourist resort at Port El Kantaoui, about 10 kilometres north of the city of Sousse, Tunisia. Thirty-eight people, 30 of whom were British, were killed when a gunman, Seifeddine Rezgui, attacked a hotel. It was the deadliest non-state attack in the history of modern Tunisia, with more fatalities than the 22 killed in the Bardo National Museum attack three months before. The attack received widespread condemnation around the world. The Tunisian government later "acknowledged fault" for slow police response to the attack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Hurghada attack</span> Hurghada, Egypt terror attack in 2016

On 8 January 2016, two suspected militants, armed with a melee weapon and a signal flare, allegedly arrived by sea and stormed the Bella Vista Hotel in the Red Sea city of Hurghada, Egypt, stabbing two foreign tourists from Austria and one from Sweden. One of the attackers, 21-year-old student Mohammed Hassan Mohammed Mahfouz, was killed by police as he tried to take a woman hostage. The other attacker was injured. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claimed responsibility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand-Bassam shootings</span> Terrorist attack in Grand-Bassam, Ivory Coast on 13 March 2016

On 13 March 2016, three Islamist gunmen opened fire at a beach resort in Grand-Bassam, Ivory Coast, killing at least 19 people and injuring 33 others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Uri attack</span> Attack on Indian troops by insurgents in Jammu and Kashmir

The 2016 Uri attack was carried out on 18 September, 2016 by four Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists from Pakistan against an Indian Army brigade headquarters near the town of Uri in the Indian Jammu and Kashmir. 19 Indian soldiers were killed in the attack, and 19–30 others were injured. It was reported by the BBC as having been "the deadliest attack on security forces in Kashmir in two decades".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Botroseya Church bombing</span> Suicide bombing on 11 December 2016 inside a Coptic church in Cairo, Egypt

On 11 December 2016, a suicide bomber killed 189 people and injured 400+ others at St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, a chapel next to Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope, in Cairo's Abbasia district. Egypt's President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi identified the bomber as 22-year-old Mahmoud Shafiq Mohammed Mustafa, who had worn a suicide vest. el-Sisi reported that three men and a woman have been arrested in connection with the attack; two others are being sought. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sehwan suicide bombing</span> Suicide bombing in Pakistan

On 16 February 2017, a suicide bombing took place inside the Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan, Sindh, Pakistan, where pilgrims were performing a Sufi ritual after the evening prayers. At least 90 people were killed and over 300 injured.

On Palm Sunday, 9 April 2017, twin suicide bombings took place at St. George's Church in the northern Egyptian city of Tanta on the Nile delta, and Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, the principal church in Alexandria, seat of the Coptic papacy. At least 44 people were reported killed and 100 injured. The attacks were carried out by a security detachment of ISIS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrorism and tourism in Egypt</span> When terrorist attacks are specifically aimed at Egypts tourists

Terrorism and tourism in Egypt is when terrorist attacks are specifically aimed at Egypt's tourists. These attacks often end in fatalities and injuries and have an immediate and sometimes lasting effect on the industry. Attacks take many forms; blowing up an airplane carrying tourists, drive-by shootings of tourists, knife attacks on tourists and suicide bombings in a location where tourists are congregated. On the timeline of these events, the 1997 Luxor Massacre stands out - 62 tourists were ambushed and killed.

Nineteen people were killed and 25 others were injured when suspected jihadists opened fire on a Turkish restaurant and hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on 13 August 2017. Police cornered the attackers, who took hostages and then were killed in an ensuing shootout.

The Rafah terror attack was a terrorist attack conducted by the Islamic State – Sinai Province on an Egyptian Armed Forces checkpoint in Rafah in North Sinai on 7 July 2017 and resulted in the death and injury of 23 Egyptian soldiers, including the high-ranking El-Sa'ka officer, Col. Ahmed Mansi. 46 terrorists were killed and six cars of the militants were destroyed in the attack.

References

  1. "L'État islamique revendique l'attentat de Karak, en Jordanie" (in French). Radio-Canada.ca. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  2. "ببيان منسوب داعش يتبنى هجوم الكرك في الأردن" (in Arabic). CNN Arabic. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Jordan Braces Itself For Tourism Slump After Terrorist Attack In Karak". Forbes. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  4. Abdel Bari Atwan (4 May 2015). Islamic State: The Digital Caliphate. ISBN   9780863561016 . Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  5. "Jordan attack: Canadian among five dead in Karak shooting". BBC. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  6. "Canadian killed in shootout at Jordanian castle, other tourists held hostage". Reuters. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  7. "Deadly shootings hit police, tourists in Al-Karak". Al Jazeera. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  8. "Security officers end deadly Karak castle siege". Al Jazeera. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  9. "Tourists from Canada, U.K., Malaysia hid in Jordan castle during deadly gunfight". The Japan Times. Associated Press. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  10. "Cache of Weapons Suggests Gunmen in Jordan Were Planning Multiple Attacks". The New York Times. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  11. "Jordanians say Karak attack only makes them stronger in face of terrorism". The Jordan Times. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  12. MENAFN. "Suspect of funding attack held – 4 policemen killed in new shootout" . Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  13. "Serangan di Karak, Jordan". Embassy of Malaysia in Jordan (in Malay). Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. 19 December 2016. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  14. "Security forces announce elimination of Karak terror cell". The Jordan Times. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  15. "Authorities crack down on suspected terrorists in Karak, other areas". The Jordan Times. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  16. "Tourists happy to be in Jordan despite Karak attack". The Jordan Times. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  17. "Security personnel killed in Karak raid laid to rest". The Jordan Times. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  18. "جلسة حجب الثقة عن حماد الثلاثاء". Khaberni (in Arabic). 21 December 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  19. "Cabinet reshuffle sees 5 new ministers in, 7 out". The Jordan Times. 15 January 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  20. "Trends of 2016: Despite a neighborhood on fire, Jordan remains stable". Global Risks Insight. 27 December 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  21. "Jordan Tourism Stable Despite Militant Attacks". Financial Tribune. 18 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  22. "January–February tourism revenues up by 16 per cent — ministry". The Jordan Times. 13 March 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  23. "EU ambassadors visit Karak in show of support". The Jordan Times. 16 March 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  24. "US condemns terror attack in Jordan". Daily News and Analysis (DNA). 19 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  25. "إدانات عربية للهجوم الإرهابي في الكرك". Hala Akhbar (in Arabic). 18 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  26. "Canada condemns Karak terrorist attack". Ammon. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  27. "Netanyahu condemns Jordan attack". The Times of Israel. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  28. "الكويت تعزي بشهداء الكرك". Ro'ya (in Arabic). 18 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  29. "Palestinian Gov't condemns Karak terrorist attack". Petra (Jordan News Agency). 18 December 2016. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  30. "Saudi Arabia condemns deadly Jordan terror attack". All Arabia English. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  31. "UAE denounces Karak terrorist attack". Petra (Jordan News Agency). 18 December 2016. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  32. "Jordan will respond firmly to security threats — King". The Jordan Times. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  33. "Church leaders call off Christmas celebrations to mourn Karak attack victims". The Jordan Times. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  34. Dye, Theodore (21 March 2017). "The Karak Castle Rebuild". Rebuild for Peace Blog. Retrieved 22 March 2017.