zaatari (arabic: مخيم الزعتري) is a refugee camp in jordan, located east of mafraq, which has gradually evolved into a permanent settlement; it is the world’s largest camp for syrian refugees. it was first opened on 28 july 2012 to host syrians fleeing the violence in the ongoing syrian civil war that erupted in march 2011. it is connected to the road network by a short road which leads to highway 10.