DHAKA: More than 2,100 Syrian officers have fled to Jordan since the start of the conflict in their country in 2011.

The kingdom’s interior minister said in remarks published on Sunday, reports The Straits Times.

‘Jordan is hosting around 2,130 Syrian officers of different military ranks in a special military complex,’ Hussein Majali told the government-owned Al-Rai daily.

‘The kingdom will remain a safe heaven for everyone but this will not be at the expense of Jordan’s safety and stability. Jordan has the ability to deal with the situation in a balanced manner.’

Amman and the United Nations put the number of refugees in Jordan at more than 500,000, although the kingdom says 1.2 million Syrians are living in the country, including those from before the conflict.

BDST: 1922 HRS, SEPT 15, 2013
RoR/RK