UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan placed a phone call to Jordan’s King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein on Saturday to offer condolences following an attack on a church in the Karak governorate that left casualties. The call, made directly between the two heads of state, signalled the UAE leadership’s swift response to an incident affecting one of the Arab world’s closely allied nations.
Details surrounding the exact scale of the attack, including the number of victims and the identity of those responsible, have not been fully disclosed. The incident nonetheless drew immediate attention from Gulf leaders, with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s call coming shortly after news of the attack emerged, according to a report first carried by UAE President offers condolences to Jordanian King over church attack.
Bilateral Ties Between Abu Dhabi and Amman
During the call, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed expressed sympathy on behalf of the UAE government and people, reaffirming the country’s solidarity with Jordan at a time of grief. The exchange between the two leaders is consistent with longstanding diplomatic practice among Arab states, where heads of state personally reach out to counterparts following security incidents or tragedies affecting their populations.
The UAE and Jordan maintain a close relationship built on decades of political, economic and security cooperation, both as members of the Arab League and as partners on a range of regional initiatives. Jordan has frequently been viewed by Gulf states, including the UAE, as a stabilising partner in the Levant, a region that continues to face intermittent security challenges. The presidential-level engagement on Saturday reflects the weight Abu Dhabi places on its ties with Amman, particularly during moments of crisis.
For audiences across the UAE, the condolence call is a reminder of the Emirates’ broader diplomatic posture in the region, one that emphasises rapid, high-level outreach to neighbouring Arab countries during times of hardship. The UAE has historically positioned itself as a vocal supporter of regional stability, frequently using direct communication between its leadership and that of allied nations to reinforce diplomatic and humanitarian ties.
No further statements regarding the perpetrators or motive behind the attack on the church in Karak have been made public. Jordanian authorities have not released additional information on the scope of casualties or any ongoing investigation into the incident. The UAE’s condolence message stands as part of a wider pattern of regional solidarity among Gulf Cooperation Council and Arab League states, who have historically responded to attacks on religious or civilian sites with unified diplomatic gestures.
The church attack adds to a broader context of security concerns across the Levant, an area that remains a focal point for regional stability efforts backed by Gulf nations. As developments continue to unfold, further statements from Jordanian officials or additional details about the incident may emerge in the coming days.
