Plea for Jordan to take in fleeing Syrians

BEIRUT: International aid organisations have sounded the alarm over the fate of thousands of desperate Syrians fleeing President Bashar al-Assad’s forces in southwestern Syria, urging neighbouring countries to take them in.

The calls come as Jordan has said it will not open its borders to the Syrians, asking the UN instead to provide them with security within their home country. The UN, meanwhile, said that up to 50 000 have already been displaced by the fighting – including 20 000 children and their families, in just three days.

Jordan, the small neighbouring country with a population of over 9 million, has 660 000 registered Syrian refugees. It estimates that many more live in the kingdom without having registered. Israel has not commented on the wave of displacement, although Syrian residents said many of the displaced have sought refuge near the frontier with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Robert Mardini, the regional chief for the International Committee of the Red Cross, said: “We ask those fighting and neighbouring countries to facilitate civilians’ access to safety and essential services.” The Norwegian Refugee Council urged Jordan to take in thousands of Syrians, saying they have “nowhere to turn”. Assad’s forces began their offensive on June 19, shattering a year-long truce.