Friday marks the four year anniversary of the Karak Castle terror events wherein militants affiliated with Daesh shot and killed hostages, which resulted in the death of 10 people, including seven security personnel and a Canadian tourist, in addition to 34 injuries.

Prior to the attacks, citizens and security personnel in Al-Qatrana, Karak reported the smell of gunpowder or a ‘strange gas’ coming from a house in the town which was rented by young men for about three months.

Once security services approached the premises, the militants opened fire and stole a citizen’s vehicle to escape.

-Entering the castle-

The militants entered Karak Castle and fortified it, attacking four police patrols and a security center in Karak city center.

They began firing bullets at tourists and citizens. Security forces and Gendarmerie personnel intervened, and began to exchange bullets with the militants, which led to the death of Agent Suhaib Al-Sawayer, Sergeant Alaa Al-Nuaimi, policeman Hakem Al-Harasis, and a Canadian tourist.

The shooting continued, which also led to the death of Lieutenant Colonel Saed Al-Ma’aytah, Corporal Shafi Al-Sharafat, Agent Yazan Ayal Salman and Corporal Muhammad Al-Banawi. Additionally, two civilians named Dia Al-Din Al-Shamayleh and Ibrahim Al-Bashasheh were killed.

A number of public security personnel, gendarmerie and civilians were injured.

-The trial-

In May 2017, the State Security Court (SSC) began the trial of 11 accused members. The detainees were charged with terrorism-related charges, including terror acts which resulted in death, and manufacturing explosive materials for the purpose of terror.

In October 2017, the SSC began the trial of a Jordanian woman who is the sister of one of the perpetrators of the attack. She was charged with promoting ideas of a terror group under the Prevention of Terrorism Law of 2006 and its amendments.

After several sessions, the SSC reduced her sentence from three years to one year and a half to give her an opportunity for reform.

In October 2019, two accused brothers who participated in the attacks were sentenced to death.

The two brothers, Khalid and Hamza Al-Majali were sentenced to death by hanging. The brothers were considered the most prominent plotters in the attack.