Amman: 45,000 Syrian refugees have returned from Jordan

Hundreds who fled the rebellion against Damascus request repatriation every day, refugee camp director says

Syrian refugees carry their belongings as they wait to board a military bus from the Zaatari refugee camp, near the Syrian border en route to the border to cross into Syria again in April 2013. (photo credit: Mohammad Hannon/AP)
Syrian refugees carry their belongings as they wait to board a military bus from the Zaatari refugee camp, near the Syrian border en route to the border to cross into Syria again in April 2013. (photo credit: Mohammad Hannon/AP)

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Jordan says that more 45,000 refugees in its territory who fled Syria’s civil war have chosen to return since last August.

Col. Zaher Abu Shihab, who directs Jordan’s largest refugee camp at Zaatari near the two countries’ border, says 45,865 Syrian refugees have so far been voluntarily repatriated.

Some refugees have complained of the harsh environment at the camp. Sporadic protests have demanded improvements.

About 300 to 400 Syria refugees ask daily to go back to Syria, Abu Shihab told the official Petra news agency late Monday.

Jordan hosts more than half a million displaced Syrians, with about one-fifth inside Zaatari.

Abu Shihab said the camp intends to improve conditions, installing more trailers to replace tents to house the refugees.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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