Jordan arrests eight Syrians over camp violence

AMMAN: Jordanian authorities arrested yesterday eight Syrian refugees accused of rioting at the northern Zaatari camp that left 10 policemen injured, a security official said.
“The security services have arrested eight Syrians over the rioting that took place on Friday. They will be referred to the (military) state security court soon,” he told AFP without elaborating.
The group faces up to three years in prison each if the court convicts them of rioting.
Violence broke out on Friday night as 100 refugees held a protest against living conditions in Zaatari, home to more than 160,000 Syrians who have fled the bloodshed in their country, and a ban on leaving the desert camp located near the border with Syria.
The camp violence that has left two of the injured policemen in serious condition was condemned by Parliament.
Since it opened in July, Zaatari has seen several protests by refugees against poor living conditions.
Jordan says it is hosting more than 500,000 Syrian refugees and the United Nations High Commissioner expects the number to soar to 1.2 million by the end of 2013 — equivalent to a fifth of the kingdom’s population.
On April 15, Jordan said the impact of the war in Syria was a threat to its security and that Amman would seek the United Nations Security Council’s help in tackling the fallout.
The government on Sunday decided to send a letter to the UN Security Council to this effect.
“Jordan’s UN Ambassador Prince Zeid bin Raad will deliver the letter, explaining the serious implications of hosting the Syrian refugees,” state-run Petra news agency quoted a statement by the council of ministers on Sunday.
“The international community should help Jordan cope with the growing numbers of Syrian refugees. The crisis threatens Jordan’s security and stability as well as international peace.”