Amman: The Islamic State terrorist group has claimed responsibility for a terrorist attack in the southern Jordanian city of Karak that killed 10 people, including the head of the military's special forces, according to an organisation that monitors militant groups.
As the authorities continue their investigation into the Sunday attack, three gendarmes and a police officer have been shot and killed in Karak while Jordanian security forces conducted raids, a spokesman for the Jordanian Public Security Department said.
Four killed in Jordan terror attack raids
Four Jordanian police officers have been killed in raids as Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack that killed 10 at Karak castle on Sunday.
In the statement released by the Islamic State, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, the militants said four fighters, "by virtue of God alone" and described as "caliphate soldiers" carried out the attack Sunday using automatic weapons and hand grenades.
Seven Jordanian security officers, a Canadian tourist and two Jordanian civilians were killed, and four attackers also died in the clashes. The assault began at a house where the gunmen were staying. They then fled and attacked a police station, before moving on to Karak's ancient crusader castle, a popular tourist destination in the city.
Among those killed was a Jordanian general, Saad Maaytah, who was described as the head of the special forces unit. His death was confirmed by the Jordanian government.
The militants "took cover in the Karak castle, where there were nationals of the allied crusader coalition countries," the statement from the Islamic State said. "Violent clashes took place and continued for several hours, where the four knights were elevated to heaven, after the apostates and the crusaders tasted death, which our families taste in Syria and Iraq and in other places."
Weapons carried by the assailants were found in the castle, and explosives, suicide vests and more weapons were discovered at the house, suggesting that the men were preparing to commit more deadly attacks.
The statement warned of additional attacks, stating, "We promise the coalition countries more severe repercussions."
Speaking to the Jordanian Armed Forces on Tuesday, King Abdullah II said that the attack in Karak would not affect the stability and security of the country.
He said other countries were also facing the threat of terrorism on a daily basis, expanding on a theme he addressed in comments made while visiting the wounded Monday, when he said that national unity would be the strongest weapon in fighting terrorism.
Jordan is a crucial US ally in a volatile region. Although terrorist attacks in Jordan are relatively rare, the country has maintained a high state of vigilance. Terrorism, in particular from the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, ISIL and IS, has plagued neighbouring countries.
A poll published in the summer by the International Republican Institute found that attitudes in Jordan toward IS were hardening, with 89 per cent of those surveyed saying they considered the extremist group to be a terrorist organisation.
However, "there is a feeling" that the number of Jordanians who have been radicalised by the Islamic State is increasing, said Manar Rachwani, a columnist and op-ed editor at Al Ghad, an independent daily newspaper.
Jordan has been the site of several other attacks or foiled plots this year - the militant group claimed responsibility for a suicide assault this year at a Jordanian border crossing with Syria that killed seven members of the Jordanian security forces and wounded 13 others.
Although not all the attacks have been connected to the Islamic State, the potential consequences are clear to all, Rachwani said.
"We also understand the repercussions of what is happening with the countries around us, including in Aleppo," he said. "We know this will lead to anger and frustration within society, and the security apparatus understands this very well."
New York Times