AMMAN, April 6 (KUNA) -- At least 22 Jordanian policemen and three Syrian refugees were injured in a riot at Al-Zaatari refugee camp northern Jordan Saturday evening.
Quoting security officials, the state news agency (PETRA) reported that the events started when policemen stopped three Syrian families who were attempting to illegally leave the camp and three other individuals who were trying to also illegally enter the camp.
The three individuals cried for help when Jordanian security members attempted to arrest them, PETRA stated. Riot broke out when about 700 refugees gathered to help the stopped people and started throwing stones at the policemen guarding the camp, the agency added.
Security officials told PETRA that the policemen demanded reinforcements after the number of rioters reached about five thousand and some of them started attacking security personnel with Molotov cocktail and live ammunition while others burnt tents and vehicles.
The camp saw many protests against poor living conditions since it was opened about two years ago, yet the protests decreased as the UN improved the camp''''s services and infrastructure.
According to the UN, 2.5 million Syrian refugees have registered in total, which is more than ten percent of Syria''''s population. Jordan hosts at least 600,000 refugees with the rest mainly in Lebanon and Turkey. (end) hmf.ag