Jordan to move 800 White Helmets rescuers to Europe

White Helmets is a network of first responders who rescue wounded in the aftermath of air strikes. Pic/AFP

Jordan said yesterday that it has taken in 800 Syrian White Helmets rescuers and their families from Israel and plans to transfer them to the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany.

"The Jordanian government said it had authorised the United Nations to organise the passage of 800 Syrian citizens through Jordan to be resettled in western countries," the kingdom said. "The government gave the permission after Britain, Germany and Canada made a legally binding undertaking to resettle them within a specified period of time due to 'a risk to their lives'," it said.

Founded in 2013, the Syria Civil Defence, or White Helmets, is a network of first responders who rescue wounded in the aftermath of air strikes, shelling or blasts in rebel-held territory. Foreign ministry spokesman Mohammed al-Kayed said the kingdom had accepted the members for "purely humanitarian reasons".

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