PM visits Ramtha residents injured by stray shell from Syria

AMMAN — Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Friday checked on the health of six Ramtha residents, all from one family, who were injured after a shell from Syria fell in the yard at  their house.

During a visit to King Abdullah I University Hospital, the premier commended the high morale of the injured and their understanding of the country’s conditions, bordering a state that has been witnessing a bloody conflict for years, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

A father and his five sons were injured on Thursday after an illuminating shell from Syria fell on their house on the way between Turra and Ramtha.

The injured were initially taken to Ramtha Public Hospital before they were transferred to King Abdullah I University Hospital in the area.

They were identified as Awad Makhadmeh, the father, and his sons Mohammad, Nijim, Bashar, Maher and Yazan. 

With Ramtha being a few kilometres away from conflict areas, it is bound to witness such incidents, despite strict control and despite taking the necessary measures, Ensour, said, stressing that Jordan must be alert at all times because of the situation in Syria, Petra reported.

Ensour was briefed by the father, a retired Education Ministry employee, on the incident.

He said the shell fell two metres away from where the family was sitting in the house yard, and that is why they were not critically hurt. 

Also, on Friday, Health Minister Ali Hiasat checked on the conditions of the injured and confirmed that their health condition was good. 

A number of stray shells have hit the northern town of Ramtha and nearby villages near the Syrian border over the past few months.

In late June, a bombshell hit a house in Ramtha city, killing a 23-year-old man and injuring four others.