(MENAFN- Jordan Times) Jordan has tightened entry restrictions along its northern borders, security officials say, amid concerns that the ongoing influx of Syrian refugees may become a threat to the Kingdom's national security.
According to a security source, authorities have imposed a new policy barring the illegal entry of unaccompanied Syrian males between the ages of 18 and 40, turning away "dozens" from the border in the last two weeks.
The new policy comes amid growing concerns in Amman of attempts by opposition activists and regime agents to infiltrate the growing refugee community - whose numbers officials place at over 140,000 - to carry out political or military activities on Jordanian soil.
"There are fears that as the number of rebels and regime loyalists increases, Jordan may become a new battleground for their conflict," said the security source, who preferred to remain unnamed.
Meanwhile, Syrian activists claimed to have become the target of a new Jordanian security campaign, alleging that seven activists had been arrested in the border cities of Ramtha and Mafraq in the last two weeks.
"It seems that as tensions between Jordan and the [Syrian] regime increase, we are no longer wanted guests," said Abu Ahmed, a member of the Syrian opposition Local Coordination Committees currently residing in Jordan.
Jordanian officials refused to confirm any new entry policy or arrests of Syrian activists, stressing only that Jordan retains the right to refuse entry to any individuals it believes represent a "threat to national security".
"It is only natural for a state to protect its security and stability, and security services have turned away individuals who had suspicious intentions," said Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications and Government Spokesperson Samih Maaytah.
If there is indeed a new border policy, it has failed to slow the influx of Syrian refugees, relief agencies said, claiming that the number of Syrians fleeing to the Kingdom has reached 500 per day.
According to the UN, the ongoing rise in vulnerable Syrians has pushed the number of registered refugees to over 27,000 and has forced officials to break ground on a fourth so-called transit facility in the northern region.
The reports of tightened border restrictions come amid rising tensions between Amman and Damascus, which according to officials have reached "dangerous levels" after a Syrian fighter pilot fled to Jordan in his MiG-21 fighter jet two weeks ago.
The government's decision to grant the pilot political asylum has sparked a Syrian "propaganda campaign" against Jordan, including reports carried by media outlets loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad alleging the arrest of Jordanian "agents" near Homs as part of a growing "Jordanian involvement" in the year-and-a-half-old conflict.
Despite the rise in tensions, the Kingdom continues to grant refuge to Syrians fleeing conflict in their homeland, including army deserters, and provide refugees with access to public healthcare and educational services.
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