| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 30,000 (2020)[1] | |
| Languages | |
| Chechen,Jordanian Arabic[2] | |
| Religion | |
| Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Chechens,Chechens in Syria,Ingush,Kists,Bats |
Chechens of Jordan are Chechens who have inhabited Jordan since theexpulsion of North Caucasians in the 19th century.[3] Chechens have played an important role in the foundation ofJordan as a modern state.
In the second half of the 18th century, theRussian Empire was fighting the peoples of the Caucasus in anexpansionist war, known as theCaucasian War.[4] One of the outcomes of the war was that many native peoples of the Caucasus were forcefully expelled to theOttoman Empire. An estimated 5,000 Chechen families were expelled to the Ottoman Empire.[5] In March 1903, the Ottoman authorities sent the first 700 Chechen families to the region ofTransjordan. The Chechen settlers chose to settle non-populated areas most suitable for agriculture and close to water sources. These settlers foundedZarqa, Jordan's second largest city.[6]
In October 1920, after establishing theEmirate of Transjordan, theUnited Kingdom mobilized a "mobile force" under the command of CaptainFrederick Gerard Peake to defend the territory against both internal and external threats. The Mobile Force was based inZarqa. 80% of its men were drawn from the local Chechen community.[7]
Chechens are heavily represented in theJordanian armed forces andintelligence apparatus since the foundation of theEmirate of Transjordan.[8]
Chechens andCircassians are mandated 3 seats in the Jordanian house of representatives,[9] currently two of those seats are held by Chechens.[citation needed]
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