Airwars assessment
The Jordanian military is suspected of conducting an airstrike that killed a family of eight, including up to six children and a woman, in Al-Shiab, a village near the Syrian/Jordanian border on May 8, 2023.
Daraa 24 and other local sources reported that the victims were suspected drug smuggler Marai al-Ramthan, his wife Hind al-Ramthan, and their children Abbas al-Ramthan, Aseel al-Ramthan, Hamza al-Ramthan, Lamis al-Ramthan, Malak al-Ramthan and Yamama al-Ramthan. It must be noted that one source (Suwayda24) claimed one child survived the bombing and was taken to hospital though this could not be independently verified.
Activists told Shaam News that Marai was a major drug dealer in the region “supported by the Fourth Division led by Maher Al-Assad and the Lebanese Hezbollah.” @zamanalwsl added that Marai’s home was the location of the strike.
A geolocation was determined by @obretix.
Multiple sources reported another strike hit a water treatment plant that was allegedly used as a drug production facility in Kharab al-Shahm.
Local sources allege Jordanian forces ordered the strike though the Jordanian government has not claimed responsibility. The Jordanian Foreign Minister had previously spoken to CNN and claimed Jordan would take military action to curb drug smuggling between the two countries (Shaam News).
The incident occured around dawn.