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The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility on Saturday for attacks that killed 127 people in Paris, Reuters reported.
In an official statement the group said its fighters strapped with suicide bombing belts and carrying machine guns carried out the attacks in various locations in the heart of the capital which were carefully studied.
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
TheCaliforiaCourier.com
Armenians experienced unforgettable days last week during the Centennial commemorations of the Armenian Genocide. In many respects, Turkish denialists’ much-feared ‘Tsunami’ became a reality! While Armenians around the world were busy organizing commemorative events in recent years, their efforts were amplified by some unexpected developments, including Turkish President Erdogan’s irrational rhetoric and reaction.
The year began with Erdogan’s childish maneuver, switching the Gallipoli War Centennial to April 24, to derail the observances planned for the Armenian Genocide Centennial. The international media quickly exposed the Turkish President’s ploy, providing extensive publicity for the upcoming genocide anniversary.
In early April, the Kardashians’ visit to Armenia generated thousands of articles and TV reports, and millions of social media posts. A few days later, Pope Francis created his own ‘Tsunami’ by uttering his courageous words on the Armenian Genocide. Once again, Erdogan made matters worse for Turkey by insulting not only the Pope, but also one billion Catholics, and the nation of Argentina, the Pontiff’s birthplace. Shortly thereafter, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the Armenian Genocide providing further media coverage of this is- sue.
Being in Armenia for the first time on April 24, and on the occasion of the Centennial, was a deeply moving experience. The Armenian government did monumental work inviting 1,000 dignitaries from 60 countries, including prominent scholars, legal experts, political leaders, parliamentarians from 30 countries, and survivors of other genocides. On April 22-23, the distinguished guests participated in a Global Forum “Against the Crime of Genocide,” where I delivered brief remarks castigating Pres. Obama’s failure to keep his promise on using the term Armenian Genocide. I explained that contrary to a widely-held misperception, the United States has repeatedly recognized the Armenian Genocide.
On April 23, all six political parties represented in the Austrian Parliament issued a joint declaration recognizing the Armenian Genocide. As expected, Turkey overreacted by withdrawing its Ambassador from Vienna. This is the second Turkish Ambassador to be recalled to Ankara this month. As an increasing number of countries recognize the Armenian Genocide, Turkey may soon have fewer envoys, isolating itself from much of the world!
Also on April 23, German President Joachim Gauck delivered a powerful speech at a memorial service in Berlin, acknowledging not only the Armenian Genocide, but also Germany’s complicity in the Ottoman Turkish genocidal campaign. Despite heavy pressures from Turkish leaders, the German Bundestag is expected shortly to adopt a similarly-worded resolution which would send shock waves through- out the 1,000 rooms of Pres. Erdogan’s newly-built palace, since Ger- many was Turkey’s ally in 1915, and continues its close relationship until today!
In the evening of April 23, the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I jointly pre- sided over a historic rite of canonization in Etchmiadzin, declaring the Armenian Genocide victims to be Saints. Following this moving ritual, at the exact hour of 19:15 or 7:15 pm, churches throughout the world began ringing their bells 100 times. Later that night, the System of a Down band performed a free concert at Yerevan’s Republic Square. The thousands of young people in attendance were highly energized despite the heavy downpour. The concert was aired live, disseminating the band’s Genocide message to millions of people worldwide.
On April 24, a memorable observance took place on the grounds of Tsitsernagapert, the Armenian Genocide Monument in Yerevan, with the participation of hundreds of religious leaders, Ambassadors, officials, and presidents of Russia, France, Cyprus and Serbia. While the heads of two superpowers came to Yerevan on April 24, Turkey was unable to attract to Gallipoli the same caliber of leaders, despite its considerable efforts. It was perfectly fitting to this solemn occasion that the distinguished guests at the Yerevan Memorial spent several hours huddled in blankets like refugees, in freezing temperatures, sheltered under a large canvass from the rain.
One of the most stunning developments last week was Turkish Prime Minister Davutoglu’s declaration that the Armenian “deportations were a Crime Against Humanity” — which under international law is tantamount to recognizing the Armenian Genocide. No one should be surprised if Erdogan dismisses Davutoglu after the June Parliamentary elections.
Now that the Centennial is behind us, it is high time that Armenians turn the page on Armenian Genocide recognition and begin to systematically pursue their claims from Turkey through international, regional and local tribunals.
By RFE/RL
The January 23 suicide bombing happened between Mosul and the Syrian border
Authorities in Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) claim that Islamic State (IS) militants used chlorine gas in an attack against Peshmerga forces.
The KRG’s Security Council released a statement on March 14 that said Peshmerga forces had taken soil and clothing samples after an IS suicide bomber attack in northern Iraq in January.
The statement said the “samples contained levels of chlorine that suggested the substance was used in weaponized form.”
It was not possible to independently verify the claim.
The statement said the analysis was conducted in a European Union certified laboratory after KRG officials handed over the samples collected at the attack site to a “partner nation” in the U.S.-led coalition fighting IS militants in Iraq and Syria.
Peter Sawczak, spokesman for the Dutch-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), said his organization had not received a request from Iraq to investigate the incident so “the OPCW cannot immediately verify the claims.”
The OPCW oversaw the removal of chemical weapons from Syria after reported chemical weapons attacks by Syrian government forces on rebel-held areas.
The January 23 suicide bombing happened between Mosul and the Syrian border where Peshmerga forces were preparing defensive positions after a two-day attack on IS forces, according to the statement.
The statement said Peshmerga forces fired a rocket at an approaching vehicle so there were no casualties except for the bomber but about a dozen Kurdish fighters at the scene experienced nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or weakness.
The U.S. Central Command said on January 30 that an Islamic State chemical weapons expert had been killed in a coalition air strike near Mosul six days earlier.
The expert was identified as Abu Malik, who had been a chemical engineer during Saddam Hussein’s rule and joined Al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Iraq in 2005.
Meanwhile, in northeastern Syria, Kurdish and Christian fighters were reportedly pushing IS militants out of villages in Syria’s Kurdish region.
Nasser Haj Mansour, a defense official in Syria’s Kurdish region, said on March 14 that fighters had captured the Christian village of Tal Maghas in Hassakeh Province that had been under the control of IS militants.
Haj Mansour and the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights both said the village was taken overnight.
Both also said warplanes from the U.S.-led coalition had been pounding IS positions in the area for several days and had continued attacks on March 14 near Tal Tamr village, some 10 kilometers from Tal Maghas.