Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

JS001

Incident date

May 8, 2023

Location

قرية الشعاب, Al Shi’ab village, Al Suwayda, Syria

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.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Marai Ruwaishid Al-Ramthan مرعي رويشد الرمثان
male killed
Hamza Al-Ramthan حمزة الرمثان
Child killed
Abbas Al-Ramthan عباس الرمثان
Child killed
Aseel Al-Ramthan أسيل الرمثان
Child killed
Yamama Al-Ramthan يمامة الرمثان
Child killed
Malak Al-Ramthan ملك الرمثان
Child killed
Lamees Al-Ramthan لميس الرمثان
Child killed
Hind Al-Ramthan هند الرمثان
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Infrastructure
    Water
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (5–6 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerents

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Jordanian strikes on Al Shi’ab village on May 8, 2023. (Image posted by Shaam News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Jordanian strikes on Al Shi’ab village on May 8, 2023. (Image posted by @QalaatM)
  • Damage caused by alleged Jordanian strikes on Al Shi’ab village on May 8, 2023. (Image posted by @QalaatM)
  • Damage caused by alleged Jordanian strikes on Al Shi’ab village on May 8, 2023. (Image posted by @QalaatM)
  • Damage caused by alleged Jordanian strikes on Al Shi’ab village on May 8, 2023. (Image posted by @QalaatM)
  • Geolocation determined by @obretix
  • Marai Ruwaishid Al-Ramthan and his six children, killed by alleged Jordanian strikes on Al Shi’ab village on May 8, 2023. (Image posted by @Sharqya_reporte)
  • Alleged Jordanian strikes on Al Shi’ab village on May 8, 2023. (Image posted by @borwjj)
  • Alleged Jordanian strikes on Al Shi’ab village on May 8, 2023. (Image posted by @borwjj)

Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
  • position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Infrastructure
    Water
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (5–6 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerents

Sources (14) [ collapse]