Amman refuses entry to Syrian refugees trapped in Rukban camp

▶ Foreign Minister calls for dismantling of the camp because it was harbouring ISIS terrorist cells

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said his country would not allow Syrian refugees trapped inside the Rukban camp to enter its territory, as urgent appeals were made to contain the its deteriorating conditions.

Rukban is home to about 50,000 residents who are trapped after Jordan closed its border with Syria following an attack on its soldiers by ISIS in 2016.

Desperately needed aid deliveries have repeatedly failed or been postponed.

Mr Safadi said on Saturday night that Jordan would not allow the entry of any person across its borders, and called for the dismantling of the camp.

“The continued existence of Rukban camp is a threat to our national security,” he said.

Mr Safadi said that cells from the camp carried out terrorist acts in Jordan years ago.

“Jordan has paid the price,” he said.

“We’ve had many martyrs as a result of terrorist operations launched from the camp.”

The development follows a statement issued by the camp’s administration to the Jordanian authorities urging them to “look with compassion towards the displaced people”.

Mr Safadi said that the camp should lose its status because it was harbouring ISIS fighters. But he pointed out that Amman provides water and medical treatment for the displaced civilians.

Mr Safadi said that Syria and the UN should be responsible for the camp.

On the fate of the displaced, he said that the residents inside the camp are now able to return to their cities and villages voluntarily and with Syrian-Russian co-ordination.

Residents inside the camp told The National that they planned to protest yesterday against the camp’s poor conditions and Jordan’s decision.

“We will go out and protest, we must ensure our voices are heard,” Ahmed Ali said.

Mr Ali appealed to the international community to protect the residents inside the camp.

He said that displaced people were the most vulnerable.

“There has been accusations that ISIS or terrorists are hiding inside the camp, but the UN was able to check for terror activities,” he said.

A number of US-backed rebel groups, including Maghawir Al Thawra, have been responsible for overseeing security in the camp.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the rebels were cracking down on ISIS sleeper cells there.

But a planned US withdrawal from Syria has raised questions over whether these groups will have the resources to continue to monitor the area.

It has also raised alarm over the possibility of an ISIS resurgence in parts of the Syrian desert near Rukban, where the groups operate.

“We were shocked to hear that the US is withdrawing from the camp,” Mr Ali said.

“There are many reports that other states are going to enter and secure the camp, but we are still waiting to hear what will happen.”

Jordan has paid the price, we’ve had many martyrs as a result of terrorist operations launched from the camp AYMAN SAFADI Jordanian Foreign Minister