Jordan has opened its first camp for Syrian refugees, as thousands flee the conflict in their country.

The Zaatari camp, a tented facility located in the desert outskirts of the border city of Mafraq, was inaugurated by the Jordanian government and United Nations.

The opening marked a turnaround for Jordan, which despite granting refuge to more than 140,000 Syrians since the beginning of the uprising has resisted opening refugee camps over concerns of worsening already tense ties with Damascus.

Nisreen el-Shamayleh reports.