Jordanian police storm castle, free tourists held hostage by gunmen; 9 dead

Nine people were killed as gunmen fired at a castle in Karak, a popular tourist spot.

By REUTERS
Updated: DECEMBER 18, 2016 22:28
Security forces fight Jordan hostage situation at castle in Karak
AMMAN - A security operation to flush out around six "terrorists" holed up in a Crusader-era castle in the southern city of Karak was approaching its end, the Jordanian government said on Sunday, after a shoot-out that killed at least nine people.
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 taken to hospital, some with serious injuries, security sources said.
Government minister and spokesman Mohammad al-Momani told state television a manhunt to "eliminate" the gunmen had entered its final phase. He did not elaborate.
"The security forces and gendarme are in the final stage and we don't want to pre-empt news ... we will be dealing with this group of terrorists and eliminate them," Momani said.
Witnesses said occasional gunfire was heard in the vicinity of the castle where police said earlier they had rescued nearly ten tourists who were on a tour of the historic site and trapped inside when the gunmen went into the castle.
It was not clear if there were any other tourists in the castle where the gunmen shot at security forces who were surrounding it.
The identity of the assailants was not immediately clear.
A former government minister from Karak city, Sameeh Maaytah, said there were signs Islamist militants may have been behind the attack but the government has so far steered away from saying this.
"The operation is continuing, it has not ended and the criminals are still inside the castle ... This was a group that was plotting certain operations inside Jordan," Maaytah told pan-Arab news channel al-Hadath.
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 the country's most popular tourist attractions.
Prime Minister Hani al Mulki told parliament "a number of security personnel" had been killed and that security forces were laying siege to the castle. The Canadian government confirmed one of its nationals had been killed.
Police and witnesses said gunmen had earlier gone on a shooting spree aimed at officers patrolling the town before entering the castle, perched on top of a hill. They used one of the castle's towers to fire at a nearby police station.
Police said the gunmen had arrived from the desert town of Qatraneh nearly 30 km northeast of Karak city, a desert outpost known for smuggling, where many tribal residents are heavily armed.
They had fled to Karak after an exchange of fire with the police at a residential building, security forces said.
Jordan is one of the few Arab states that have taken part in a US-led air campaign against Islamic State militants holding territory in Syria. But many Jordanians oppose their country's involvement, saying it has led to the killing of fellow Muslims and raised security threats inside Jordan.
Officials worry about radical Islam's growing profile in Jordan and support in impoverished areas for militant groups.