Jordan now has 95,000 Syrian refugees, official says

AMMAN, Jordan – A Jordanian interior ministry official says the country now has 95,000 Syrian refugees who fled the conflict at home.

The official said Wednesday that previous estimates said about 80,000 Syrians had found shelter in Jordan, mostly along the border with Syria. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to make statements to the media.

Activists say a Syrian border clampdown has barred entire families and men under the age of 42 from crossing into Jordan, leading to more Syrians entering the kingdom illegally. The activists believe the restrictions seek to prevent rebels from escaping Syria.

The U.N. refugee agency has also reported an increase in Syrian refugee registrations in Jordan.

It says 7,584 have registered and 2,000 are in the process.