President Sahakyan attended the inauguration of a memorial to Armenians of Artsakh fighters in the village of Kedavan (Nagorno-Karabakh)

September 8, 2016 By administrator

Bako Sahakyan President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh participated Wednesday, September 7 at the inauguration of a memorial to the Armenian fighters in the village of Kedavan (Nagorno-Karabakh). Bako Sahakyan in his speech, stressed the importance of keeping the memory of those who sacrificed themselves for the Armenian nation.

He also stressed the important role of transmitting the memory of heroes who died for their country, to younger generations. The same day the President of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh was the monastery of Kantsassar for a Mass celebrated by Catholicos Karekin II. Parliament Speaker Stepanakert, Ashot Ghoulyan and many officials were also present at the inauguration of Kedavan Memorial and the religious ceremony in Kantsassar.

Krikor Amirzayan

Artsakh President signifies the freedom fighters’ participation in defending the Motherland

May 17, 2016 By administrator

f573b122496031_573b12249606e.thumb Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan visited one of the Defense Army’s training grounds on 17 May, met with the personnel of a battalion composed of members of the Artsakh Union of Freedom Fighters, got introduced with their daily life and course of service, reports Central Information Department of the Office of the Artsakh Republic President.

The Head of the State welcomed this initiative, signifying the freedom fighters’ participation in defending the Motherland.

According to the source, Defense Minister Levon Mnatsakanyan, Head of the Artsakh Union of Freedom Fighters Samvel Karapetyan, Chairperson of the NKR NA Standing Commission on Defense, Security and Legalism Issues, Zhanna Galstyan and other officials accompanied the President.

Syria: Trial of Kurdish fighters have damaged property

January 21, 2016 By administrator

The main Syrian Kurdish militia said Tuesday it arrested four of its fighters accused of damaged properties in a community decision to jihadist Islamic State Group (EI).

This news comes after accusations of activists and Amnesty International on abuse of Kurdish forces against Arab residents in areas listed in EI in northern Syria.

In a statement, the Kurdish people’s Protection Units (YPG) indicate that four of its members were arrested “on charges of damaging property of citizens in al-Hol and surrounding villages” in the province of Hasaka (northeast).

“At the end of the investigation and interrogations, their membership of YPG was withdrawn and they will go on trial in court” the statement said.

The four defendants were identified by their initials and pictures of them taken back were broadcast.

Al-Hol was taken in November at the EI by a coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters.

The arrests come in the wake of several reports of tensions between the YPG and the Arab inhabitants of the northern regions of Syria where the militia led battles against the IE with air support from the coalition led by the United STATES.

In October, Amnesty International accused the Kurdish forces to engage in forced displacement and destruction of homes in the north and northeast of the country consideration of these acts of “war crimes”.

The NGO claimed that they were carrying out “collective punishment campaigns” against residents, Arab majority, villages formerly held by the EI.

YPG had denounced these accusations and emphasized its alliance with Arab combatant groups which “removes any doubt” in their desire on any discrimination against an ethnic group.

Amnesty and activists also accused the Kurdish forces to prevent people from returning to their village after the EI has been driven.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH) had recently reported demonstrations in Al-Hol people wanting to go home.

According to Kurdish forces, residents were not allowed to return during clearance operations or in places where the risk remained infiltration of IE.

Thursday, January 21, 2016,
Stéphane © armenews.com

Canada: New PM Tells Obama Canada to Withdraw Fighter Jets From Syria, Iraq

October 20, 2015 By administrator

Mere hours after defeating Stephen Harper, Canadian Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau has told US President Obama that he will withdraw Canadian jets from Syria and Iraq.

According to Reuters, the pledge was made as President Obama called to congratulate Trudeau on his election win.
The Liberal leader ran on a promise to withdraw Canada’s CF-18 bombers from the US-led coalition’s military campaign against the self-proclaimed Islamic State terrorist group. Earlier this year, Canada’s Liberal Party fought against the Conservative government’s proposal to extend combat missions from Iraq into Syria.

On the campaign trail, Trudeau also floated the idea that his administration may consider bolstering local forces in the region, and increasing Canada’s humanitarian aid.
Earlier on Tuesday, the US State Department addressed questions as to whether or not it was concerned that Canada’s new government may not support US foreign policy regarding IS presence in Afghanistan.

“These are all decisions the Canadian people have to make and Canadian legislators have to make…and their Prime Minister [has to make],” department spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.

“We have stood shoulder to shoulder with Canadian armed forces…in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he added.

More than 1,000 Turks fighting for the Islamic Caliphate (surprise Surprise)

August 1, 2014 By administrator

Serkan Demirtaş

This undated file image posted on a militant website on Tuesday, Jan 14 which has been verified and is consistent with other AP reporting, shows fighters from the al-Qaida linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) marching in Raqqa. AP Photo

Hurriyet daily news: The number of Turkish citizens fighting under the umbrella of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is slightly more than 1,000, according to Turkish officials, who admit that they are unable to learn the exact number. The estimated number of armed ISIL fighters is around 12,000 to 15,000, which shows that Turks make up just less than 10 percent of the jihadist group.

Turkey has long been accused of not efficiently controlling its borders to prevent those foreigners joining the jihadist extremist groups and stop the flow of weapons into Syria. In response to these criticisms, Turkish officials have noted the difficulty of controlling a nearly 900-kilometer-long border while blaming Western countries for not sharing intelligence on potential recruits for the jihadist groups.

However, when it comes to Turkish citizens’ participation in one of the world’s deadliest groups, these explanations are unconvincing. Who organized the recruitment of these people for ISIL? What organizations sponsored these recruitments? Which routes have been used? Assuming the security forces and the intelligence are closely following the jihadist movements in Turkey, how did they fail to realize that more than 1,000 Turks have joined ISIL? Could it be because security forces and intelligence skipped their main duties and responsibilities as they are chasing what the government calls the “parallel state”?

Whatever the answers to these questions are, there is one absolute reality: Turkey is facing the danger of the jihadist structure, both inside and outside. In Iraq, 49 Turkish citizens have been in ISIL captivity since early June. Due to the sensitivity of the issue, mainstream media does not frequently write on the issue, but one thing is certain: Somebody will have to answer some very disturbing questions once our citizens, including Turkey’s consul general in Mosul, return home safe.

Inside Turkey, there is enough evidence to get concerned about increasing extremism. First, we have seen some Sunni groups attacking a mosque belonging to the Caferis, a branch of Shiite Islam. With ISIL making new advances, their sympathizers have become more visible in a bid to display their contentment with the developments. It was on July 31 when the Hürriyet Daily News reported about an Istanbul-based Islamic charity organization that had to suspend its activities after it was criticized for using an insignia adopted by the ISIL.

There were also allegations that the charity was recruiting militants for the fight in Syria and Iraq.
In separate news, Turkish media broadcast a few days ago pictures of hundreds of men with long beards in Taliban-style dress gathering for Eid al-Fitr somewhere in Istanbul. The group was allegedly linked with ISIL, and they dedicated their Eid al-Fitr prayers to ISIL fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Another development that has boosted the public showcase of these jihadist groups is the Israeli attack on the Palestinians. Israeli brutality deserves all sorts of reactions, but demonstrations staged by groups, especially in Ankara and Istanbul soon became violent. These are obviously the best moments for such groups to gain more supporters in society and reach out to different segments of the society. The government has the full responsibility to keep these demonstrations in check without causing any unwanted, irreparable incident.