Armenian News... A Topalian 3 editorials

Public Radio of Armenia

Oct 10 2019

Armenian-populated cities in Syria come under Turkish fire

The Armenian-populated city of Tel Abyad has been targeted by Turkey as part of its offensive against Kurds, informs Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, the head of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Diaspora, Youth and Sport.

Provided that the Armenian population in the area is under fire, Hayrapetyan talked to Armenia’s Consul General to Aleppo Armen Sarkissian to get information on the situation on the ground. 

“At this point, Turks are bombing the city of Tel Abyad where 16 Armenian families permanently reside. Their evacuation is currently underway. Apart from this, city of Qamishli, with a number of Armenian residents, is also under attack,” he said on Facebook. 

Turkey launched air strikes, fired artillery and began a ground offensive against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria on Wednesday (Oct 9) after US troops pulled back from the area. 

After Erdogan announced the offensive, Trump called the operation “a bad idea.” Later Wednesday, he said he didn’t want to be involved in “endless, senseless wars.”

Panorama, Armenia

Oct 10 2019

The safety of Armenian population in Hasaka province endangered - High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs

High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan has released a statement about the safety of the Armenian population in Syria amid the military operation launched by Turkey. 

 

“The military actions launched by Turkey on October 9 in the territory of Syrian Arab Republic are not only unlawful and deplorable as a blatant violation of the international law, but also undermine the security of the Armenian population living in number of settlements. The existence of the Armenian population in Hasaka province is endangered,” the part of the statement by Sinanyan read. 

 

In his words, the Republic of Armenia is engaged with works to ensure the security of Armenians and the members of the Armenian community . “Armenia and al Armenians stand by their compatriots and will do their utmost to ensure their safety,” the statement added.

Aysor, Armenia

Oct 10 2019

Armenian families leave Syria’s Tal Abyad attacked by Turkish forces

Armenian embassy in Syria’s capital Damascus and Armenia’s Consulate general in Aleppo are working in emergency regime due to the situation created as a result of Turkey’s Syria offensive, embassy officials report.

“Armenia’s diplomatic representations are in permanent communication with the community structures of Syria’s Qamishli and other northern regions,” the statement said.

“We are following the developments and jointly working out possible steps to ensure asylums for our compatriots who will express wish to move from the north of Syria and ensure first aid to them,” the Armenian embassy stated.

It also stressed that over ten Armenian families have left Tal Abyad which is under direct military attack and moved to safe regions.

“Currently there is no urgent issue of immediate evacuation of our compatriots. According to the information we have, about 3,000 Armenians are living in Syria’s northern regions,” the statement said.