As number of Syrian refugees in Jordan reached 450,000, police and refugees clashed in Zaatari camp 20 April over poor conditions. U.S. Sec Defence 17 April announced U.S. sending 200 army planners to Jordan to help prevent spillover of Syrian crisis. Authorities 13 April arrested 8 Jordanians attempting to join Syrian rebel fighters. 4 killed in clashes between students at university in southern city Maan.

U.S. President Obama 22 March met King Abdullah II in Amman, discussed Syria and Israel/Palestine conflict; Obama pledged $200 million in aid for Syrian refugees. Jordan 25 March closed border with Syria due to clashes in area.

Number of Syrian refugees entering Jordan reportedly reached 400,000; violence erupted 24-25 Feb in Zaatari camp over poor conditions. In first protests since 23 Jan parliamentary election, hundreds of opposition Muslim Brotherhood supporters demonstrated in Amman 22 Feb to demand faster political reform; opposition protests also held throughout country. Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh 20 Feb continued consultations with parliament to choose PM.

Muslim Brotherhood boycotted 23 Jan parliamentary elections claiming electoral system rigged in favour of govt; approximately 2,000 demonstrated in Amman in favour of boycott, demanding King Abdullah II cede some powers.

King Abdullah II 6 Dec visited West Bank city Ramallah to congratulate President Abbas and Palestinian people on new UN status. King 11 Dec ordered release of over 100 protesters detained during Nov fuel protests.

13 Nov announcement that govt fuel subsidies to be removed sparked nationwide protests, rioting, strikes 13-18 and 23 Nov, calls for PM Nsour’s resignation. Protests in Amman 16 and 30 Nov drew thousands, some protesters reportedly called for King’s downfall. Over 100 arrested, scores injured when police violently dispersed several protests; 1 killed 14 Nov in Irbid, police claim he attacked police station. Former head of intelligence Mohammed al-Dahabi sentenced 11 Nov to 13 years in prison, $30m fine for embezzlement, money laundering, abuse of office.

King Abdullah 4 Oct dissolved parliament, called for early elections before end 2012, 10 Oct appointed Abdullah Nsour as new PM; thousands of Islamists demonstrated in Amman 5 Oct calling for further reforms. Soldier killed at Syrian border 22 Oct, several arrested. 11 militants arrested 21 Oct for allegedly planning attacks on Western diplomats, shopping centres in Amman.

About 200 protesters gathered mid-Sept in Amman demanding release of over a dozen opposition activists arrested during month; anti-govt protester Basil Bashabsheh released 19 Sept, 17 protesters remain in prison; officials denied ill treatment. King Abdullah 18 Sept endorsed new media law requiring govt licence for online publications.

Jordanian, Syrian forces 10 Aug clashed on border when Syrian troops reportedly fired on refugees attempting to cross into Jordan. Registration for upcoming parliamentary elections began 7 Aug; govt 12 Aug criticised Muslim Brotherhood (MB), other opposition parties’ poll boycott over controversial elections law passed last month. Some 500 MB supporters rallied 3 Aug in Amman for press freedom; activists same day protested in Karak, Tafileh against elections, U.S. interference in internal affairs.

Amended version of elections law approved 23 July by royal decree; PM Tarawneh said Independent Election Commission (IEC) expected to announced Dec date for parliamentary elections; opposition parties 24 July said changes to law insufficient, called for boycott. Human Rights Watch 7 July criticised Jordan for discriminating against Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria.