Jordan fears 'sleeper cells' among Syrian refugees

Jordan has raised its level of security preparedness over the perceived threat of "sleeper cells that threaten the security and stability of the kingdom" entering the country along with Syrian refugees.

The commander of the Jordanian Border Guard, Brigadier General Saber al-Mahayreh, is spearheading the effort.

"We have dealt humanely with the refugees at the beginning of the crisis, then we shifted to a security-humane treatment," he said on Thursday.

Mahayreh said the shift in strategy was down to the emergence of armed jihadist groups, some of which are stationed close to the Jordan-Syria border.

We have dealt humanely with the refugees at the beginning of the crisis, then we shifted to a security-humane treatment - Brig Gen Saber al-Mahayreh

"The most prominent security challenges that accompanied the influx of refugees are represented today in the presence of sleeper cells that could be exploited by the two sides in the conflict in Syria, in a way that could threaten the security and stability of the kingdom in future," he said.

Mahayreh estimated military spending on refugees has reached 500 million Jordanian dinars ($700m). The army has built a hospital on the border, as well as 12 meeting points and 13 refugee shelters, he said.

There are also 850 army personnel dedicated to dealing with refugees crossing into the country through 45 unofficial crossing points, all along the 370-kilometre border - in addition to 45 armed vehicles and 25 weapon systems, according to Mahayreh.

The Jordanian Border Guards monitor the border with Syria through an advanced surveillance system that was provided by the US to monitor movements on the border, with cameras covering the length of the frontier.

The number of refugees crossing into Jordan has slowed, as international human rights organisations accuse Jordan of creating obstacles for refugees who try to enter the country.

Jordanian authorities, however, deny such charges, stressing that it followed "an open borders policy with refugees".