deir-ezzor Archives

Video by Sarkis Kassargian Shows Extent of Damage to Armenian Genocide Memorial Church in Deir Ezzor

November 11, 2017 by administrator

Armenian Genocide Memorial Church in Deir Ezzor

Extensive damage to the Armenian Genocide Memorial Church in Deir Ezzor, Syria, since 2014 can be seen in new footage posted on November 8, after Syrian government forces took control of the city, long an Islamic State stronghold.

Several plaques with Armenian characters written on them can be seen cracked or completely destroyed on the inside of the church. Rubble is piled in the entryways and windows.

The church was a memorial to the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1917, in which Armenia claims 1.5 million Armenians were killed at the hands of Turks. However, Turkey does not recognize the genocide term, and said the number was closer to 300,000. The memorial had been a major pilgrimage site, according to the BBC. Tens of thousands of Armenians once lived in Deir Ezzor, and more in other Syrian cities, many whose ancestors fled the killings in the Ottoman Empire across unforgiving desert.

When Islamic State forces took control of the city in 2014, they blew up the Martyrs’ Church, according to Armenian and Syrian news reports. Since then, other culprits have been considered, such as members of the Jabhat-al-Nusra militia in 2014, possibly using Turkish weapons. Credit: Facebook/Sarkis Kassargian via Storyful.

Syrian Army artillery shells Kurdish forces in Deir Ezzor: reports

September 25, 2017 by administrator

By Andrew Illingworth

BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:15 P.M.) – In addition to allegations coming in about an hour ago that Russian warplanes bombed the positions of Kurdish-led forces in eastern Deir Ezzor Governorate, official Kurdish social media sources are now also claiming that their defenses are being struck by Syrian Arab Army artillery.

According to reports from the official twitter account of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, in addition to Russian airstrikes targeting US-backed fighters around Conoco Gas Field, Syrian Army artillery is also carrying out a bombardment of the same area.

Kurdish sources say that the Syrian Army artillery bombardment consists of rocket and standard shelling attacks.

The latest reports claim that the attack is still ongoing.

Al-Masdar News cannot confirm anything at this time.

Source: https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-artillery-shells-kurdish-forces-deir-ezzor-reports-update/

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Turkish Terrorist ISIS Seizes Armenian Cemetery in Deir Ezzor

May 19, 2016 by administrator

Armenian cemetary captured in Deir Ezzor (Source: Al-Masdar News)

DEIR EZZOR (Al-Masdar News)—The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) launched a new assault at Deir Ezzor City on Monday that targeted the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) controlled west district near the 137th Artillery Brigade Headquarters.

ISIS began the offensive on Monday by seizing the Majbal area of Deir Ezzor City after a violent battle with the Syrian Arab Army.

On Tuesday, ISIS continued their offensive by imposing full control over the Armenian cemetery that is situated along the International Highway.

With the Armenian cemetery under their control, ISIS made their way to the Panorama Checkpoint, capturing this site from the Syrian Armed Forces after a battle on Tuesday.

The terrorist group is now targeting the Panorama Roundabout in western Deir Ezzor City for the second time in seven days; if captured, the Syrian Armed Forces will face ISIS at Al-Firat University.

Syrian Army Plays Trick on ISIL near Deir Ezzor Airport

January 27, 2015 by administrator

TEHRAN (FNA)- Ten militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist group were killed in the operation carried out by Syrian army and national defense forces after infiltrating into their sites in the village of Jufrah, near the military airport of Deir Ezzur.

Moreover, the army has gained control over an area stretching for one kilometer from the Eastern side of Deir Ezzur military airport, in a move that aims at expanding the safety zone of the airport, Al-Manar TV reported Monday.

Pro-armed groups’ websites admitted that the army soldiers deceived ISIL gunmen in the perimeter of Deir Ezzur airport, and swept into one of their positions killing more than 14 terrorists, after playing a trick on them by wearing Afghan uniforms.

Syria was hit by a violent unrest since mid-March 2011, where the western media reports accuse countries, mainly the US, Turkey and Saudi Arabia of orchestrating the conflict in the country and providing terrorist groups with money, weapons and trained mercenaries.

On May 2011, Syrian army launched a wide-scale operation against armed groups and gunmen operating in the country, who started escaping the army blows and crossing the border into Lebanon.