Tensions Rise in Jordan over Syrian Refugees

Increased tensions in Jordan

Refugees from Syria to Jordan puts neighbor relationship to the tes

Since the beginning of the year, a record number of Syrians seeking refuge in neighboring Jordan. The massive influx of refugees is a challenge both for Syrian refugees and Jordan who are trying to cope with the increased social, economic and political pressure. The harsh conditions cause social tension and good neighborliness put to the test.

Syrian brothers?

Jordan has a long history as a destination country for refugees. The country opened the borders for Palestinians after the wars of 1948 and 1967, and Iraqis between 1991 and 2003. Above Syrians Jordan has so far had an open door policy. In the region, only Lebanon has received a number of Syrian refugees.

More than 300,000 refugees have registered or waiting to be registered by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Amman. Just arrived in January 30,000 Syrian refugees, a doubling since December.

The refugees are on the one hand considered "brothers" that one has an obligation to protect. Family and tribal ties cross national borders and many Syrians lived in Jordan permanently or seasonally before the conflict broke out.

Meanwhile, Jordan's hospitality above their Syrian brothers quickly go over as refugee flows affect the country's social, economic and political stability.

Relations between Jordan and its Syrian people showing signs of strain.

The majority of refugees living outside the camps in the northern border areas or the capital Amman. Here compete with the Jordanians on the country's already scarce resources like jobs, education and health care.

With increased demand for housing, rents increased drastically. Many Jordanians complain that they are being priced out of the housing market. Especially poor Jordanians feel that Syrian refugees are supported wrongful much, while their own needs are ignored.

A study done last year by the Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan shows that 65% of Jordanians stop the influx of refugees into the country. More than 80% believe that the refugees wreaks havoc on the country's water and energy resources. Just as many believe displaced Syrians should be referred to the camps.

The study shows that the Jordanian attitudes towards refugees is changing. Like other refugees before them is now the Syrians used as scapegoats for the bad economy.

Desperate refugees

Frustration is also high among the Syrian refugees. In January I met Syrians in Zaatari refugee camp just a few days after the camp had been subjected to severe winter storms. The refugees complained bitterly cold, unclean water and poor security, particularly for women.

Zaatari refugee camp has already exceeded its maximum capacity of 60,000. A new camp called Halabat opened last month and will eventually house 30,000 refugees.

The UN estimates that about. 70% of the refugees in the camps are women and children. In Zaatari camp is over half of the families poor Sunni Muslims from the Syrian city Deera where the violent riots marked the beginning of the Syrian Civil War in March 2011. UN leader at the camp, Marin Kajdomcaj, confirms the ongoing challenges of law and order. Refugees frustration has resulted in several clashes with Jordan's security police or aid workers.

The conditions outside the refugee camps is also tough. The refugees are struggling to support themselves in a country with a poor economy and high unemployment. Many are dependent on support from various aid organizations to survive.

A woman I met fled from his hometown Homs under a powerful bomb attack in which her husband was killed. Now she lives with relatives and worry for the future:

"This can not be called a life. It's cold, we have no money. Where is God? "

Islamists demand changes

Jordanian authorities fear that the Syrian civil war would create political unrest in the country. Political activity among Syrian refugees and Jordanian jihadists involved in fighting in Syria are sources of concern. The same is the increased support around the Muslim Brotherhood who strengthens opposition.

Since January 2011, the Islamists in Jordan demanded economic and constitutional amendments. This has been the first real threat to King Abdullah. 

Jordan is ready to close the border with Syria if civil war would spread across the border. Border area around Syria is already war zones, and Amman have seen with concerns on previous rocket attacks against Lebanon and Turkey.

Although the Jordanian government denies it, the Syrians of Palestinian origin have been denied entry to Jordan. The authorities fear that increased immigration from this group may upset the balance between the two groups in particular, the majority consisting of Jordanian citizens of Palestinian origin and the reigning East Bank Jordanians.

The biggest fear among many Jordanians is that Jordan should be the Arab spring's fifth domino. So far it seems that Jordan will remain a safe haven for their "brothers" in distress in an otherwise turbulent region. It seems that most Jordanians prefer reform rather than revolution. But the neighborhood is on trial.

King Abdullah recently called on the international community about the billions in aid to cope with the challenges Jordan faces. International donors can provide a much needed contribution to the pressure society. Aid that targets both Syrian refugees and poor Jordanians can reduce and prevent social tensions. A protracted refugee crisis will require more than brethren hospitality to avoid a new Arab spring.