The truth about Syria

[Yervant1]

Why is it? It's always the Muslims that demand wealth tax from the minorities (Christians mainly) whereas in the western world, they cry for equal rights and freedom.

ground=#4998c2] IN THE WORLD[/size]

17:29 27/02/2014k

Islamists demand levy from Christians in Syrian city

An al Qaeda splinter group has demanded that Christians in a Syrian city it controls pay a levy in gold and curb displays of their faith in return for protection, according to a statement posted online on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), mainly composed of foreign fighters, is widely considered the most radical of the groups fighting President Bashar al-Assad, and is also engaged in a violent struggle with rival Islamist rebels.
Its directive to Christians in the eastern city of Raqqa is the latest evidence of the group's ambition to establish a state in Syria founded on radical Islamist principles, a prospect that concerns Western and Arab backers of other rebel groups fighting Assad.
ISIL said it would ensure Christians' safety in exchange for the levy and their adherence to restrictions on their faith, citing the Islamic legal precept of 'dhimma.'
It said Christians must not make renovations to churches or other religious buildings, display religious insignia outside of churches, ring church bells or pray in public.
It demanded every Christian man pay a tax of up to 17 grams of gold, a levy that was common in Muslim states centuries ago.
The directive also bans Christians from owning weapons and from selling pork or wine to Muslims or drinking wine in public.

Source: Panorama.am

 

Edited February 27, 2014 by Yervant1

[Yervant1]

17:18 27/02/2014 » REGION

Artem Stepanov: Azerbaijani terrorists in Syria fight against Christians and against Armenians in particular

"The participation of native Azerbaijanis in the war in Syria, as well as mercenaries of other countries, is a potential threat not only for the region but for the whole world, at least - for Europe, Russia and the countries of the South Caucasus," Artem Stepanov’s article, published on the website of “Scientific Society for Caucasus Studies” reads.

The author notes that the revival of Islam in the territory of the former Soviet republics receives radical forms, and the Syrian conflict provides good opportunities to improve the combat experience. This is especially dangerous in the presence of both open and latent conflicts in the Caucasus region. "According to the data, from three hundred to thousands of so-called “volunteers” have left Azerbaijan for Syria to fight there." And they fight not for fear but for, as they say, "conscience", basically killing Christians. As one of the militants subsequently killed by the fighters said, the Azerbaijanis are fighting against the Armenians in Syria," the article reads.

The article notes that after the collapse of the Soviet Union the Azerbaijan Popular Front came to power, which opened wide its doors for both the politicized and for fundamentalist Islam.

The author notes that in the meantime, dead bodies of Azerbaijani "mujahideens" are being delivered to Baku from time to time. In May of the last year, Azerbaijanis fighting among the militants delivered another video message calling on their compatriots to commit "jihad in Syria." Though, according to the Azerbaijani legislation participation of the citizens in any armed unit on foreign territory not obeying to Baku, is a felony and is qualified as a mercenary, however, no one is convicted by this article yet.

Since the beginning of 2014 the Azerbaijani news agency APA reported about elimination of 24 fighters from the Caspian republic in Syria. In addition, there is information about the elimination of Azerbaijani terrorists in Afghanistan. Thus, in the last week, the media reported about the elimination of 5 Azerbaijani fighters. All of them had previously been involved in the international wanted list.

"All of these events may directly or indirectly affect the aggravation of the situation in Nagorno Karabakh. It’s easy to assume that returning from Syria the fighters will not fail to use their combat experience in fighting against the people of Karabakh, or worse - to provoke a new war. Radical Islamism in Azerbaijan is getting more strength, and no one knows what this will evolve. In this case, combat capability of the Armenian army and its ability to adequately respond to provocation is put in the forefront. And we're back to where it came - a strategic cooperation with Russia, which plays a significant role in strengthening the security of the NKR and Armenia. Armenia, certainly, is not sitting idly and waiting for someone to defend it from the radical Islamists - by no means," Artem Stepanov writes.

Source: Panorama.am

[Yervant1]

INTERVENE? OR END SYRIAN WAR?

[ Part 2.2: "Attached Text" ]

CNSNews.com
February 28, 2014

By Patrick J. Buchanan

Whether saber rattling or not, word is out that the White House is
"rethinking its options" on intervening in the Syrian war.

The collapse of John Kerry's Geneva 2 talks between the rebels and
regime, the lengthening casualty lists from barrel-bomb attacks, and a
death toll approaching 150,000, are apparently causing second thoughts.

All the usual suspects are prodding Obama to plunge in, if not with
troops, at least with a no-fly zone to prevent Bashar Assad from
using his air power.

Our frustration is understandable. Yet it does not change the
reality. This is not America's war. Never was. As Obama said, it is
"somebody else's civil war."

Still, the case against intervention needs to be restated.

First and foremost, Obama has no authority to go to war in Syria,
for Congress has never voted to authorize such a war.

An unprovoked attack on Syria would be an impeachable act.

Last August, the American people were almost unanimously opposed to
intervention. The firestorm they created was why Congress ran away
from the Obama-Kerry plan for missile strikes.

So if Obama has no authority to attack Syria, and America does not
want a war, why, after Iraq and Afghanistan, would Obama divide his
nation and plunge his country into that civil war?

What are the arguments for intervention? Same old, same old.

America has a moral obligation to end the barbarism. At the time of
Rwanda we said, "Never again!" Yet it is happening again. And we have a
"Responsibility to Protect" Syrians from a dictator slaughtering his
own people.

But while what is happening in Syria is horrible, all Middle East
ethnic-civil-sectarian wars tend to unfold this way.

And if there is a "moral" obligation to intervene, why does it not
apply to Israel and Turkey, Syria's nearest neighbors? Why does that
moral duty not apply to the European Union, upon whose doorstep Syria
sits? Why is it America's moral obligation, 5,000 miles away?

It is not. The Turks, Israelis, EU and Gulf Arabs who hate Assad
would simply like for us to come and fight their war for them.

The Washington Post says we must address not only the moral
"nightmare," but also the "growing threat ... to vital U.S.

interests."

Exactly what "vital interests" is the Post talking about? Syria has
been ruled by the Assads for 40 years.

And how have our vital interests been imperiled?

And if our vital interests are imperiled, how much more so are those
of Israel and Turkey?

Yet neither has chosen to invest the blood of their sons in bringing
Assad down.

If we have an enemy in this fight, it is al-Qaida, the al-Nusra Front,
the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, all of which are terrorist and
implacably anti-American.

And who is keeping these enemies of ours out of Damascus?

Assad, Hezbollah, Iran and our old friend Vladimir Putin.

And who has been supplying the terrorists? Our friends in the Gulf,
with weapons funneled through Turkey, our NATO ally.

Have the interventionists who are beside themselves watching all
these insurrections and wars breaking out thought through what is
likely to happen if we intervene?

The Syrian war would become a more savage affair, as Assad would know
he was now in a fight to the finish. As U.S. air power was committed
to the defeat of Assad, his allies would likely provide more weapons
for his defense. Casualties could soar and the probability of a wider
war would increase geometrically.

Should Assad fall, his routed soldiers and Alawaites and Christians
would face reprisals for which we would be morally responsible,
as it was our intervention that brought this about.

We might have to intervene with troops to stop a massacre by jihadists.

And if Assad fell, pro-Western rebels would likely have to fight the
al-Qaida rebels for power. Syria could come apart, and we would own it.

Obama's frustration is understandable. He said two years ago Assad
must go. Assad flipped him off. Obama said use of chemical weapons
would be a "red line" which, if crossed, would bring serious
consequences. Assad's troops apparently crossed that line.

What did we do? Worked with Russia to remove the weapons.

Washington is enraged that Putin continues to support Assad.

But Assad's regime is the recognized and legal government of Syria.

Russia has a naval base in Latakia, is owed billions by Damascus,
and has been Syria's ally for decades.

Why should Putin abandon Assad at our request?

What have we done for him lately? Besides send Billy Jean King to his
Olympics? Why, Putin might ask, should he abandon his Syrian allies
rather than us, the Turks, and Gulf Arabs abandoning ours?

There is a grave moral issue here -- for us.

How, under just war theory, can we continue to sustain a conflict
that is killing thousands every month with no end in sight? Are we
not morally obliged to try to stop such a war?

http://cnsnews.com/commentary/patrick-j-buchanan/intervene-or-end-syrian-war

[Yervant1]

Armenian-populated district of Aleppo under rocket attack

March 08, 2014 | 17:28


ALEPPO. - Armenian-populated district of Aleppo was under rocket
attack on Saturday, the press service of the Diocese of Aleppo of the
Armenian Apostolic Church reported.

The main street of Nor Gyugh district and neighborhood of National
Armenian Gymnasium was attacked. Servicemen were wounded. No
casualties among civilians have been reported.

Overall 60-70 thousands Armenians were residing in Syria before the
bloody events. More than half of them lived in Aleppo and the other
half was scattered in the cities of Latakia, Homs, Qamishli, Hasaka,
Raqqah, Kessab and, of course, the capital - Damascus.

http://news.am/eng/news/198053.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJQDREjGnX4

[Yervant1]

Dozens killed in Homs Armenian district car bomb blast

March 7, 2014 - 12:51 AMT


PanARMENIAN.Net - At least 15 people were killed and 12 others wounded
in a car bomb blast in the central Syrian city of Homs on Thursday,
March 6 an NGO said, according to Agence France-Presse.

"At least 15 people were killed and 12 others injured in the Armenian
district, which is home to mostly Christians and Alawites," said Rami
Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad comes from the Alawite community, a
religious minority that stems from Shiite Islam.

Syria's state news agency SANA reported a "terrorist attack" on the
main street of the district, "which caused deaths, injuries and
damage."

The neighbourhood, in the east of Homs, is under government control.

Homs, once dubbed the "capital" of Syria's revolution for its
prominent, well-attended anti-government protests, has been the scene
of fierce fighting between the regime and rebels.

Part of its Old City under rebel control has been subjected to a tight
government siege that has left several thousand civilians trapped.

In recent weeks, UN and Red Crescent teams were able to evacuate some
civilians and distribute food and medicine to those remaining in the
besieged neighbourhoods, but the operations have halted.

http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/176598/

http://news.yahoo.com/car-bomb-blast-kills-15-syrias-homs-ngo-155011351.html

[MosJan]

Stop Genocide in Syria protest March 9th Turkish Consulate 6300 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, Sunday March 9, 2014, 12 Noon until 2 PM.

In World War I, the Ittihadist Ottoman Empire and Kemalist Turkey exterminated over 3.5 million Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians.

Today, the Republic of Turkey continues this Genocidal tradition by supporting the extermination of Syria’s indigenous Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian population by Al-Qaeda forces. Whether one looks at the 2012 murders of Rev. Basilious Nasser, and Father Fadi Jamil Haddad or the October 2013 massacre of 45 Christians in Sadad, Syria, one thing is clearly evident. Armenians,

Greeks, and Assyrians have been marked for death. The Turkish Government’s willingness to pay rebel fighters $5,000 for each dead Armenian, shows the world who is behind their extermination.

Time to put the Turkish government on notice for supporting a second Genocide of Greeks, Armenians, Assyrians, and others in Syria.

Please forward this to others, and invite your friends especially the warmonger Al-Qaeda terrorist supporter and anti-Christian Congressman Adam Schiff.

This protest started by a Greek, an Assyrian and an Armenian. All groups must be involved, Unified Young Armenians, Armenian political parties and organizations, Syrians, everyone. It is best not to have just one group taking Syria, Protest Against Turkey (1)the lead.

[MosJan]

Arab Americans for Syria invites you to a day of protest in front of all Turkish Consulate and Embassies around the world, to send a message to Erdoghan's government to STOP supporting terrorism and to STOP harboring terrorists. To STOP allowing the terrorists a safe passage in and out of Syria. To STOP sending arms and artillery into Syria. To STOP the larceny of the Syrian factories and to STOP the piracy of the Syrian economy. To STOP its aggression against the Syrian people especially the minorities. and to release all the Lebanese hostages.

 

 

[Arpa]

The Irony. See where the news is coming from.

Yep!!! The Armenian City -VAN.

HUH!!???

According to international law the tomb is Turkish territory,

TURKEY PREPARED TO PROTECT ITS TERRITORY IN SYRIA

Anadolu Agency, Turkey

March 14 2014

Friday, March 14, 2014

Turkey is prepared to take measures to assure the security and the stability of the tomb of Suleyman Shah in the Syrian city of Aleppo,

the Turkish foreign minister has said.

 

VAN - Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu** has said that Turkey

has the right to take measures to assure the security and stability of

the tomb of Suleyman Shah in the Syrian city of Aleppo as according

to international law the tomb is Turkish territory, while referring to the intensified clashes between the Syrian opposition and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the region.

 

"As of now, there is no violation towards our territory and the

Turkish troops there providing security. However, in case of any

threat, we (Turkey) are prepared to take measures of all sorts,"

Davutoglu told a press conference on Friday in the eastern Turkish

province of Van following a trilateral meeting with his Iranian and

Azerbaijani counterparts.

 

Davutoglu said the authority gap caused by the Syrian regime has

created a great security crisis, paving the way for radical groups

to fill this gap in northern Syria.

===

Turkish soldiers on guard in front of the Tomb of Suleyman Shah

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Suleymansahturbesi3.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimar_Sinan

[Arpa]

This thread is about The Truth About Syria. So far we have been talking about the Truth About Syria. Now let us see the Lies About Syria. From the mouth of that master liar ,

That nutan-YAHOO-di , the descendant of the authors of that most xenophobic and neighbor hating Book of Lies .***

If course, we also know that Syria has chemical and nuclear/nklr weapons of mass destruction..

 

Since then, Syria has developed variations of the M-302, a testament to its acumen, Mr. Rubin says. The latest version is capable of reaching 134 miles, although the versions of the M-302 discovered on the Klos-C had ranges between 55 to 100 miles, longer than Iranian-made Fajr rockets.Israeli officials say this range would enable militants in Gaza to fire rockets at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Yeah right! Then why telaviv still is not sunk at the bottom of atlantis?**

**Atlantis is a fictional sea just like the fictional promised land.

==

See the rest here;

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/Under-the-Radar/2014/0311/Syria-s-secretive-rocket-industry-spotlighted-by-Israeli-weapons-seizure-video

Syria's secretive rocket industry spotlighted by Israeli weapons seizure

When Israel seized a cache of weapons last week, it played up Iran's role. But Syrian-made rockets in the shipment show its sophistication in developing longer-range missiles.

Dozens of mortar shells and rockets are on display after being seized from the Klos-C civilian cargo ship that Israel intercepted

====

By Nicholas Blanford-Beirut, Lebanon

Israels seizure last week of the Klos-C ship and its weapons cargo that included 40 Syrian-manufactured M-302 rockets has drawn attention to Syria's secretive rocket industry. -Israel claims the M-302s were flown from Syria to Iran before being loaded aboard the Panamanian-flagged ship in an Iranian port. This raises the question of why Iran would ship Syrian-made rockets allegedly to Hamas in the Gaza strip when it produces its own. The answer lies in the increasingly close links between Syria and Iran in rocket research, development, and production, and in Syria's success in expanding the reach of its arsenal. "The Syrian rocket industry is quite capable. They can make up their own design. You see already in the civil war that they know their stuff," says Uzi Rubin, an Israeli expert on missile defense and the founder and director of a defense ministry program on long-range missiles. Syria began investing in a strategic rocket arsenal in the early 1980s, recognizing that its Soviet-equipped army was no match for its arch enemy Israel. To counter Israel's superior conventional forces, Damascus acquired ballistic missiles, such as the Scud, and began developing chemical-filled warheads. The industry expanded as Syria and its ally Iran drew closer under Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who came to power in 2000. The two countries signed a mutual defense pact in 2006 and an additional military cooperation agreement the following year. Since 2000, Syria has become a major supplier of mid-range rockets such as 220-mm Urugans and the M-302s one of the rockets seized by Israel ,

----

Iranian-made Fajr rockets. Israeli officials say this range would enable militants in Gaza to fire rockets at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Rocket science-The state-run Syrian Scientific Research Center is responsible for rocket research and development, including surface-to-air missiles. According to Janes Defense Weekly, Syria is researching solid-fueled rockets that would be quicker to launch and harder to detect in advance. These rockets are more practical for groups like Hezbollah given Israel's regular surveillance by jets and pilotless drones. Liquid-fueled missiles, such as Scuds, require a lengthy launch preparation time that make them easier to spot. After the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, Syria stepped up production of longer-range missiles, including the M600 rocket, a Syrian version of Irans Fateh-110. The M600, which reportedly was transferred to Hezbollah in 2009, can carry a 1,100-pound warhead for 150 miles and is fitted with a guidance system that is accurate within 500 yards at maximum range. Syria usually reveals little about its rocket capabilities, conducting tests and military exercises out of the public eye. However, since the anti-Assad uprising began three years ago, the regime has staged several televised exercises involving most of its rocket and missile arsenal.

***In another post we will see what semite-anti-semite means. NOT!!

Where is Flotilla Sinkilla?

http://hyeforum.com/index.php?showtopic=28156&page=1&&do=findComment&comment=272125

[MosJan]

Թուրքական մամուլը հաստատում է. Ահաբեկիչների խումբը Թուրքիայից է հարձակվել հայաբնակ Քեսաբի վրա

Թուրքական մամուլը հաստատում է. Ահաբեկիչների խումբը Թուրքիայից է հարձակվել հայաբնակ Քեսաբի վրաՄարտ 22, 2014 | 00:04

 

Թուրքիայի հետ սահմանակից Սիրիայի հայաբնակ Քեսաբի ուղղությամբ ահաբեկչական Ալ-Նուսրա խմբավորման ջոկատները իրականացրել են 4 թեւից հարձակում։

Թուրքական Gercekgundem կայքի փոխանցմամբ՝ մարտի 21-ի վաղ առավոտյան ահաբեկչական Ալ-Նուսա խմբավորման ջոկատները 4 կողմերից լայնածավալ հարձակման են անցել Սիրիայի հյուսիսում հայերով եւ ալեւիներով բնակեցված Լաթակիայի շրջան։

Նշվում է, որ ահաբեկիչների 2 խոշոր խմբեր հարձակման են անցել Թուրքիայի տարածքից։

Թուրքական կայքը նշել է, թե Սիրիայի կառավարական զորքերին հաջողվել է հետ մղել ահաբեկիչների հարձակումները։

Լուրեր Հայաստանից - NEWS.am

[MosJan]

torq@ mnuma torq inch kuzeq aseq..

[Yervant1]

ARMED BANDITS CROSS THE TURKISH BORDER AND ATTACK ARMENIAN POPULATED KESAB IN SYRIA

18:44 21.03.2014

In the morning of March 21, the Armenian-populated city of Kesab in
Syria became the target of attacks by armed bands that raided the
Syrian territory after crossing the Turkish border.

>From the beginning of the attacks Sev Aghbyur village -a part of
Kesab- was made a target; the surrounding hills of the village have
been occupied.

The Syrian army is trying to push back the offensive forces. Currently
the clashes are still going on. The residents of Sev Aghbyur and of
other areas that are in danger have been transferred to more secure
places.

http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/03/21/armed-bandits-cross-the-turkish-border-and-attack-armenian-populated-kesab-in-syria/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnQWkmZ0muI

[Yervant1]

Armenians from Kesab spent night in Latakia church

Saturday, March 22, 2014


Following Friday attacks, residents of Armenian-populated town of
Kesab and nearby villages in Syria have moved to safer places,
according to Perio news.

The source reported that many Armenians are currently in the national
offices located on the grounds of Surb Astvatsatsin Church in Latakia.
The Red Crescent and other organizations are distributing food and
necessary items to them.

Since the start of the Syrian war, Armenians of Aleppo have moved
mostly to Kesab considered a relative safe settlement.

We would remind you that attacks were launched on Armenian-populated
Kesab from three border Turkish positions Friday morning.


TODAY, 15:35
Aysor.am

[Arpa]

The Heroic Battle of Musa Ler all over again.

Those ԿԱՏՂԱԾ ՔՈՍՈՏ ՇՈՒՆԵՐ/rabid mangy dogs!!

The Genocide has not ended, it is resumed after a short respite.

I bet spies from ankakara are their scouts and guides, as those foreign terrorists would not know their way around Kessab.

Where are Rev. Andreasian and Ter Hayrs Markos and Mateos?

I wish and hope the Kessabtsis will be furnished with the latest war machines, and those alqaeda dogs turn their guns towards ankakara!!

====

http://asbarez.com/121007/reports-cite-80-dead-in-kessab-churches-desecrated/

 

KESSAB, SyriaThe Armenian populated villages of Kessab, Syria were the target of three days of brutal cross-border attacks from Turkey by al-Qaeda affiliated armed bands, which have cost 80 lives and forced the civilian population of the area to flee to neighboring hills, with many seeking safe-haven in the nearby cities of Latakia and Basit.

[m]In a written statement, the Armenian National CommitteeInternational, condemned the attacks and Turkeys active role in aiding and abetting extremist groups in their targeted attacks against the Christian and minority populations in Syria. [/b]For months, we have warned the international community of the imminent threat posed by extremist foreign fighters against the Christian minority population in Syria, noted the ANC-I statement. These vicious and unprompted attacks against the Armenian-populated town and villages of Kessab are the latest examples of this violence, actively encouraged by neighboring Turkey. We call upon all states with any influence in the Syrian conflict to use all available means to stop these attacks against the peaceful civilian population of Kessab, to allow them to return to their homes in safety and security. In the last one hundred years, this is the third time that the Armenians are being forced to leave Kessab and in all three cases, Turkey is the aggressor or on the side of the aggressors.

According to news reports, the armed incursion began on Friday, March 21, 2014, at 5:45a.m., with rebels associated with Al-Qaedas al-Nusra Front, Sham al-Islam and Ansar al-Sham crossing the Turkish border and attacking the Armenian civilian population of Kessab. The attackers immediately seized two guard posts overlooking Kessab, including a strategic hill known as Observatory 45 and later took over the border crossing point with Turkey. Snipers targeted the civilian population and launched mortar attacks on the town and the surrounding villages.

According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers crossed the Turkish border with Syria openly passing through Turkish military barracks. According to Turkish media reports, the attackers carried their injured back to Turkey for treatment in the town of Yayladagi.

Some 670 Armenian families, the majority of the population of Kessab, were evacuated by the local Armenian community leadership to safer areas in neighboring Basit and Latakia. Ten to fifteen families with relations too elderly to move were either unable to leave or chose to stay in their homes.

On Saturday, March 22, Syrian troops launched a counteroffensive in an attempt to regain the border crossing point, eye-witnesses and state media reported. However, on Sunday, March 23, the extremist groups once again entered the town of Kessab, took the remaining Armenian families hostage, desecrated the towns three Armenian churches, pillaging local residences and occupying the town and surrounding villages.

Located in the northwestern corner of Syria, near the border with Turkey, Kessab had, until very recently evaded major battles in the Syrian conflict. The local Armenian population had increased in recently years with the city serving as safe-haven for those fleeing from the war-torn cities of Yacubiye, Rakka and Aleppo.

Assad Regime Protests Turkeys Involvement to UN

The latest onslaught on Kessab has prompted Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government to protest to the United Nations that Turkey was providing cover to rebels crossing the border from its territory. In a message to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Damascus demanded that the Security Council denounce what it called a terrorist attack on Syrian territory.

Syrian state television made reference to the fighting in a breaking news alert, saying the army was tackling attempts by terrorist gangs to infiltrate from Turkish territory and attack border crossings in northern Latakia province.

Turkey Downs Syrian Fighter Jet

On March 23, Turkey said its fighter jets shot down a Syrian jet after it crossed into Turkish airspace.

Syria denied that its jet had violated Turkish airspace and, according to Agence France-Presse, accused Turkey of a flagrant act of aggression that is evidence of Erdoğans support for terrorist groups. The MIG-23 jets were reportedly flying a support mission to assist ground forces repelling extremist fighters which had infiltrated from Turkey into Kessab.

The international community should restrain Turkey to stop this and similar anti-Armenian operations and in general it antagonistic policy against Armenia and the Armenian people, concludes the ANC Internationals statement.

[Yervant1]

It's about time!
POLITICS[/size][/background]

Serzh Sargsyan to make statement on Kessab

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will soon make a press statement on the events in Kessab at the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague, spokesman for the President Arman Saghatelyan wrote on Twitter.

Source: Panorama.am

 

[Yervant1]

http://arka.am/bitrix/templates/arka.am/images/logo.png

Armenia’s foreign ministry must protect ethnic Armenians of Kessab - Hnchakyan

http://arka.am/upload/resize_cache/iblock/401/344_258_2/40198a5d5b5c54b30eabd637995c226c.jpg

YEREVAN, March 24. /ARKA/. Armenian social democratic Hnchakyan party made a statement saying Armenia’s foreign ministry should protect ethnic Armenians living in Syria’s Kessab that became the target of Turkish aggression recently.

Turkey has violated all international laws and commitments having opened a fire at Armenian-populated villages in Kessab and let the rebellions take over the region, says the statement.

Thousands of ethnic Armenians live in Kessab that is located at the border between Syria and Turkey. The large Armenian community of the region had its community and party organizations, schools and hospitals.

Hnchakyan say Kessab has always been a target for Turgey, and the current tragic events create a basis for driving ethnic Armenians out of the province.

Despite this, Armenia made no international-level statement on the issue, according to the report.

Hnchakyans demand from Armenia's foreign ministry to bring up the issue in all possible international levels and request Turkey to stop another attempt of Armenians' deportation, says the statement.

At a parliament sitting Monday the secretary of the opposition Heritage faction Tevan Poghosyan said Armenia is losing one of its oldest communities in the Middle East after the latest incursion by anti-government extremist groups.

The parliament deputy asked the speaker Hovik Abrahamyan about possible actions of Yerevan in this connection. In response, the speaker said a foreign ministry representative may be invited for clarifying the matter.

Yet, Armenia has no competence to interfere with affairs of another state, Abrahamyan said.

According to most recent information, about 670 ethnic Armenian families had to flee to Larakia. –0--

14:32 24.03.2014

[Yervant1]

17:51 25/03/2014 » POLITICS

Armenian parliamentary delegation leaves for Latakia

Speaker of Armenian National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan has confirmed that a parliamentary delegation has left for Latakia. The delegation includes Republican MPs Samvel Farmanyan, Levon Martirosyan, Arman Sahakyan and Naira Karapetyan, Heritage MP Tevan Poghosyan and independent MP Edmon Marukyan.
According to Hovik Abrahamyan, the MPs will familiarize themselves with the situation on the spot and present it to the National Assembly upon their return.

Source: Panorama.am

[Yervant1]

17:50 25/03/2014 » REGION

Azerbaijani terrorists got into an ambush: 13 militants were killed

In the course of fighting in Syria a squad of terrorists from the organization IŞİD got into an ambush. As it is stated by Azerbaijani news agency Vesti.az, the total number of terrorists who got into an ambush equal to twenty-five, 13 out of which were killed.
Most of the killed terrorists were Azerbaijanis as well as two Turkish nationals.
Note that Azerbaijani Salafis or Wahhabis are fighting in the ranks of various terrorist groupings that operate in Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to the Azerbaijani news agency Vesti.az the total number of Azerbaijani terrorists in these countries equals to 300. Whereas according to FaktHeber Azerbaijani portal over the past three years only in Syria almost 200 Azerbaijani terrorists were killed.
The relationship between international terrorist groups and Azerbaijan originated in the early 1990s. That time, the Azerbaijani army, having failed in the aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), retreated with losses. Trying to save the situation, the Azerbaijani leadership, headed by Heydar Aliyev attracted to the war against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh international terrorists and members of radical groups from Afghanistan (groupings of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar), Turkey ("Grey Wolves", etc.), Chechnya (groupings Basayev and Raduyev etc.) and some other regions.
Despite the involvement in of thousands of foreign mercenaries and terrorists in the Azerbaijani army during the war, the Azerbaijani aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh Republic failed, and the Baku authorities were forced to sign an armistice with the NKR and Armenia. However, international terrorists found ties in Azerbaijan, and used them in the future. Recruitment was conducted among Azerbaijanis, who then were sent to Afghanistan and the North Caucasus, where participated in the battles against the forces of the international coalition and Russian organizations. In recent years, the citizens of Azerbaijan are actively involved in terrorist and extremist activities in Russia, Afghanistan and Syria.

Source: Panorama.am

[Yervant1]

ANCA Demands Immediate White House and Congressional Action to Stop Attacks on Kessab

http://www.anca.org/assets/graphics/2014/save_kessab_image.jpg-- Send a Free ANCA SmartMail to President Obama and your Senators and Representative.

WASHINGTON, DC - The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has called on President Obama and Congress to press Turkey to stop facilitating the attacks by extremist foreign fighters on the northwestern Syrian town of Kessab, whose predominantly civilian Armenian population was forced to evacuate to avoid slaughter earlier this weekend.

In a strongly worded letter issued on March 24th, ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian called on President Obama to direct his Secretary of State, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, and his Ambassador to the United Nations to demand that Turkey halt the cross-border attacks on Kessab that have forced the immediate civilian evacuation of the area and led to the looting of properties and the desecration of churches. Separately, the ANCA has been in communication with members of the House Committee on Intelligence, House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee over the weekend to urge that Congress use its influence to immediately end Turkey's role in the destruction of Kessab.

"The attacks on the predominantly Armenian populated village of Kessab over the weekend represent an attack on all Armenians," remarked ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "The Armenian American community stands united in seeking to reverse the events of the last several days, which has seen militant extremists stream into Kessab from Turkey. We are strongly urging our government, led by President Obama and Congressional leaders, to send a firm message to Ankara that the safe haven and safe passage being offered to these militant groups intent on destroying Kessab must end." Hachikian added.

Located in the northwestern corner of Syria, near the border with Turkey, Kessab had, until very recently, evaded major battles in the Syrian conflict. The local Armenian population had increased in recently years with the city serving as safe-haven for those fleeing from the war-torn cities of Yacubiye, Rakka and Aleppo. On the morning of March 21st, extremist foreign fighters launched a vicious attack on Kessab civilians, forcing them to flee neighboring Latakia and Bassit.

The ANCA will be working with a vast network of supporters across the United States this week to effectively address the ongoing crisis in Kessab, Syria.

[Yervant1]

16:25 25/03/2014 » SOCIETY

Kessab Armenians’ houses looted and burnt

The armed rebels have turned the Armenian church of Kessab into a gathering place, Hasmik Manjikyan-Berberyan, who fled Kessab to neighboring Latakia, told Panorama.am.
“They have opened the Turkish border, which is very close to Kessab, and removed the barbed wires. They come by cars from Turkey and loot our houses. No one hinders them,” she said, adding that the looters also burn the houses.
Some 600 families were evacuated from Armenian-populated town of Kessab in Syria following the attacks by gunmen who entered the region from the Turkish border on March 22. The Armenian families have taken refuge in Latakia. “We do our best to help them. The Armenians have taken refuge in the Armenian church and Armenian organizations in Latakia, located about 50 km south of Kessab,” Bishop Armash Nalbandian, primate of the Armenian Church of Damascus, told Panorama.am on Monday.
“The people fled without taking anything with them – they have neither clothes nor first necessity items. Fortunately, there are no reports about victims. We should thank the administrative authorities of Kessab for evacuating them and taking to Latakia. First of all, we have organized humanitarian assistance: we are providing the refugee families with mattresses, blankets and household items.”
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said on Monday that the Embassy of Armenia in Syria works on the program of measures to support the Armenians in Kessab. The program will be implemented in a full scale.
Spokesman for Nagorno-Karabakh President David Babayan said the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is prepared to support Armenians from Kessab in every way possible, including by creating conditions for them to live in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Source: Panorama.am

[Yervant1]

15:03 25/03/2014 » SOCIETY

Chechens involved in attacks on Kessab?

Al Jazeera TV has aired an interview with the commander of the attacks on Kessab.
He is a Chechen nicknamed Abou Moussa al Chichani. He came with a group of terrorists from Turkey. The commander in the report was saying that they came to raise the banner of "there is no god but Allah" in Latakia and he delivered a message to the minorities, "people of different religions and sects," that they have duties to do after the liberation of Latakia.
The Armenian populated villages of Kessab in Syria were the target of three days of brutal cross-border attacks from Turkey. Some 670 Armenian families, the majority of the population of Kessab, were evacuated by the local Armenian community leadership to safer areas in neighboring Basit and Latakia.

Source: Panorama.am

[Yervant1]

14:11 25/03/2014 » TOPIC OF THE DAY

Babayan: Through subversive attacks, Turkey tries to make Armenians leave Syria

Turkey continues its anti-Armenian policy, with its extreme manifestations being observed in Armenian-populated areas of Syria, in particular in Kessab, spokesman for Nagorno-Karabakh President David Babayan told Panorama.am.
“Through subversive attacks, Turkey tries to make Armenians leave Syria and aims to liquidate the Armenian community of Syria,” Babayan said.
According to him, currently, everyone expects an adequate response from the civilized world concerning the recent events in Kessab.
“It would be better if Armenians residing in Syria remained in that country and maintained the strong and consolidated Armenian community. But if the lives of Syrian Armenians are in danger, then the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is prepared to support them in every way possible, including by creating conditions for them to live in Nagorno-Karabakh,” Mr Babayan said.

Source: Panorama.am

[Yervant1]

11:16 25/03/2014 » IN THE WORLD

Serzh Sargsyan makes press statement on Kessab in The Hague

Armenian President Sezh Sargsyan made a press statement concerning the events in Kessab at the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague, the presidential press service reported.
The President expressed his deep concern over the events in Kessab. “All of us perfectly remember the history of Kessab, which was unfortunately full of hellish realities of deportations in the last 100 years,” said Serzh Sargsyan.
The President noted that the first scourge was back in April 1909 when the Turkish armed detachments invaded Kessab. The Armenians took shelter in mountain Garaturan and on the coast. After setting Kessab on fire and plundering it, Turks made their way to Garaturan, burned and looted the houses of the upper district. A French ship transported Armenians to Latakia. After living in Latakia for one year, the emigrants returned to Kessab and rebuilt their houses.
When touching upon the historical facts, Serzh Sargsyan also recalled another date – events of 1915, when the Kessab population also experienced migration and exiles of the Armenian Genocide. Armenians of Kessab were exiled in two directions: to Deir ez-Zor and to the south up to Jordan. Thousands died en route, the majority perished in Deir ez-Zor deserts.
“The third deportation of Kessab Armenians today is a serious challenge to ethnic minority rights protection mechanisms of the 21st century. I think everyone should realize that these parallels should sober all the sides,” underlined the President of Armenia.
The President thanked the Syrian authorities for the steps being taken to protect the Armenians in Kessab at this difficult moment.
“I have already instructed the diplomatic missions at the UN Headquarters in New York and Geneva to raise the issue of ensuring the security of the Armenians in Kessab and their safe return to their permanent places of residence at the structures dealing with human rights and ethnic minority rights issues,” said President Sargsyan.
The President also had a consultation with the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I in connection with the current situation.
Serzh Sargsyan said that the Embassy of Armenia in Syria works on the program of measures to support the Armenians in Kessab. The program will be implemented in a full scale.

Source: Panorama.am

[MosJan]

Սիրիայում ոչնչացվել է Ադրբեջանից եւ Թուրքիայից եկած վարձկանների խումբը

 

Մարտ 25, 2014 | 19:57

Սիրիայում վարձկանների եւս մեկ խումբ է ոչնչացվել: Ինչպես հաղորդում է ANS PRESS-ը՝ վկայակոչելով կրոնական ծայրահեղականների կայքերը, հատուկ գործողության արդյունքում, ոչնչացվել են IŞİD խմբավորման 13 անդամները: Նրանց մեծ մասը Ադրբեջանից են:

Տեղեկատվության համաձայն՝ կառավարական զորքերի սարքած ծուղակում են հայտնվել 25 գրոհայիններ, որոնց կեսին հաջողվել է դուրս պրծնել ու դիմել փախուստի:

Հատկանշական է, որ գործողության ընթացքում ոչնչացվել են նաեւ երկու թուրք գրոհայիններ՝ Էբու Իսմայիլը եւ Մուստաֆան:

Տարվա սկզբից Սիրիայում ոչնչացվել են զգալի թվով վարձկաններ Ադրբեջանից, որոնք գործունեությունը են ծավալել «Ջեբհատ ան-Նուսրա» խմբավորման կազմում: Սիրիայում հակամարտության ընթացքում, ընդհանուր առմամբ, ոչնչացվել է ավելի քան 100 ադրբեջանցի:

Նրանց բազմաթիվ լուսանկարները գրոհայինները տեղադրում են սոցիալական ցանցերում: «Ջեբհատ ան- Նուսրան» ահաբեկչական խմբավորում է ճանաչված , այդ թվում ԱՄՆ պետքարտուղարության կողմից:

[MosJan]

Save Kessab: An Urgent Appeal to All Armenian Americans & People of Good Conscience
Urge the Obama Administration to Stop Turkey's Support for the Destruction of Kessab, Syria
Please join the ANCA in voicing your solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Kessab, Syria.

The ANCA is calling on all Americans of good will to contact the Obama Administration to demand that America immediately call on the Republic of Turkey to halt its role in the ethnic cleansing of Kessab's peaceful Armenian population.

To send your message to President Obama, simply type in your name, address and email and click "Send Message." Copies of this letter will also be automatically sent to your Senators and U.S. Representative.

Please do not delay - send your ANCA SmartMail in solidarity with the Armenians of Kessab promptly and be sure to share this ANCA Action Alert with your friends and family.

Background:
Located in the northwestern corner of Syria, near the border with Turkey, Kessab had, until very recently, avoided major battles in the Syrian conflict. The local Armenian population had increased in recently years with the city serving as a safe-haven for those fleeing from the war-torn cities of Yacubiye, Rakka and Aleppo. On the morning of March 21st, extremist foreign fighters launched a vicious attack on Kessab civilians, forcing them to flee to neighboring Latakia and Bassit. Subsequent attacks occurred on March 22nd and 23rd and included the mass looting of local residences and the desecration of Armenian Churches in the area.

News sources confirm that the onslaught on Kessab was launched from Turkey by foreign fighters affiliated with an extremist wing of the al-Qaeda terrorist group. Attackers wounded during fighting were returned to Turkey for medical treatment.

 

http://www.anca.org/action_alerts/action_disp.php?aaid=63156801