Chechens in Jordan


Chechens of Jordan are Chechens who have inhabited Jordan since the expulsion of Caucasians in the 19th century. Chechens have played an important role in the foundation of Jordan as a modern state.

History

Expulsion

In the second half of the 19th century the Russian Empire was fighting the peoples of the Caucasus in an expansionist war, known as the Caucasian war. One of the outcomes of the war was that many native peoples of the Caucasus were forcefully expelled to the Ottoman Empire. An estimated 5,000 Chechen families were expelled to the Ottoman Empire.
In March 1903, the Ottoman authorities sent the first 700 Chechen families to the region of Transjordan. The Chechens settlers chose to settle non-populated areas most suitable for agriculture and close to water sources. So they founded the city of Zarqa, Jordan's second biggest city.

Foundation of the Emirate of Transjordan

In October 1920, after establishing the Emirate of Transjordan the United Kingdom mobilized a "mobile force" under the command of Captain Frederick Gerard Peake, to defend the territory against both internal and external threats. The Mobile Force was based in Zarqa. 80% of its men were drawn from the local Chechen community.

Military and political representation

Chechens are heavily represented in the Jordanian armed forces, and intelligence apparatus since the foundation of the Emirate of Transjordan.
Chechens and Circassians are mandated 3 seats in the Jordanian house of representatives, currently two of those seats are held by Chechens.

Organizations