Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) on Wednesday reiterated that it did not close its borders in the face of Syrian refugee from entering the kingdom, but cited that there are cases in which some refugees return to Syria then attempt to re-enter into Jordan back and forth.

An official source at the JAF General headquarters told Ammon News on Wednesday stressed that the army prioritizes national security, emphasizing "we allow entry, but would not allow refugees back and forth like "Bahharra."

"Bahharra" is a term used to describe Jordanian and Syrian traders prior to the eruption of conflict in neighboring Syria who used to enter into the kingdom several times a day with merchandize to be marketed between the two countries.

The JAF statements came after an amateur video posted online on Tuesday went viral, appearing to a group of Syrian refugees being denied entry into the Kingdom.

The footage, posted and reportedly shot by "Ugarit News" (posted below) reveals dozens of Syrian refugees waiting to cross the border into Jordan and apparently - according to the group - being refused entry by Jordanian military forces on the borders.


The number of Syrian refugees being hosted in Jordan stands at 537,230, as of this week.

A total of 58,641 Syrian refugees reportedly voluntarily returned to their country since the start of the conflict in Syria two years ago, Media Spokesperson of Syrian Refugee Affairs Anmar al-Hmoud said.

Al Hmoud said in a press statement on Monday that 284 refugees were voluntarily repatriated Sunday, while 230 crossed into Jordan, including 2 injured people who were transported to Al Mafraq Hospital for treatment.

"There have been more than 600 crossings since Saturday. 236 refugees have entered Jordan [on Monday]," Al-Hmoud added.

1,323 Syrian refugees entered into the kingdom on Wednesday, after the refugee flow dropped significantly over the past few days.

The numbers of Syrian refugees entering the kingdom abruptly dropped in the past two weeks from an average of around two thousand a day to a handful daily.

Despite suspicions and reports that Jordan closed its northern borders in the face of refugees, the Jordanian government continues to deny the claims and stress that it is committed to international conventions against closing borders in the face of refugees.

Minister of Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani had cited during a press conference on Sunday that safer conditions in southern Syria may have been a factor in the sudden in numbers of refugees crossing into the kingdom.