Kessab Archives

Nothing’s changed ahead of Genocide centennial, say Armenian MPs

April 1, 2014 By administrator

The National Assembly group, which recently conducted a fact-finding tour to Syria, held on Tuesday a news conference to share impressions of the meetings with the local Armenians.

They said the visit a private initiative to study the situation of the Armenians in the warn-torn country and offer support to the Kessab Armenians who have been evacuated to Latakia after recent militant attacks. They thanked Arman Sahakyan, an MP from the ruling Republican faction, for financing the trip.

“Our purpose was to go and see the events there with our own eyes. It was very hard to remain unmoved by watching them,” said Tevan Poghosyan, an opposition MP from the Heritage party.

“It is more than a year there had been no state visit from Armenia to Syria. Our main purpose was to see our compatriots, but because there was an invitation by the Syrian authorities, it would have been wrong not to go to meet with them,” he added.

Edmon Marukyan, a cross-bencher who was also in the delegation, said the Armenians who have found a refuge in Latakia’s Holy Virgin church had heard from community members maintaining a military vigil in Kessab that the militants had been joined by Turkish rebels.

“With the help of the Syrian Army, the Kessab residents were moved to Latakia. Some 320 families in Latakia’s Holy Virgin church now benefit from the aid and food offered. Our compatriots clearly understand that they will not see their houses upon return. That’s why they requested that Armenia and the Armenians around the world help them to restore their economy,” Marukyan said, adding that they have reports that the houses in the Armenian-populated town have been completely looted.

“This was a proof that nothing has changed ahead of the [the Armenian] Genocide centennial. There is only a change in the methods: Internet, Facebook etc,” he added.

Artak Shakaryan, a turkologist also attending the news conference, said the Turks are still guiding themselves by the false justification that Kessab belongs to them instead of Syria.

“Kessab actually is the only part on the Turkish-Syrian border that wasn’t under militants’ control, but it was, sooner or later, to come under their surveillance. They were logically expected to seize Latakia to reach Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but to get to Latakia they had to seize Kessab,” he explained.

The expert further warned against any attempts of overexaggerating the situation.

“I call for being vigilant, as Kessab may remain an apple of discord between two states in the months to come,” he added.

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund launches campaign to help #savekessab Armenians

April 1, 2014 By administrator

April 01, 2014 | 14:19

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund has applied to Armenians worldwide to support Armenians in Kessab.
“Dear compatriots, brothers and sisters
The tragic events taking place in Kessab these days bring back memories of the most mournful times of the Armenian history. It is evident that what our compatriots face today is a humanitarian disaster. Today, we address all the individuals and organizations worldwide and call them to support the Kessab Armenian community.

A bank account to support this case has been specially opened for you to direct your resources. It is our duty to ease the pain of our compatriots and cover, to some extent, for their losses.
Please, watch out: the happening is a challenge for every single Armenian, a threat towards Armenians worldwide.

Sen. Menendez Joins Members of Congress to Condemn Kessab Attacks

April 1, 2014 By administrator

WASHINGTON—Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) was joined by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Michael Grimm (R-NY), Armenian Genocide Resolution Lead Sponsors David Valadao (R-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Representatives Brad Sherman (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA) and James McGovern (D-MA) in condemning the recent attacks against the historically Armenian city of Kessab, Syria, urging the State Department to investigate the incursion and take immediate action to safeguard the vulnerable population, reported the Armenian National Committee of America.

“We would like to thank Chairman Menendez and the many other Congressional defenders of human rights who have stepped forward to call the world’s urgent attention to the attacks against the predominantly Armenian population of Kessab,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We look forward to working with each of them to ensure that Turkey’s role is explicitly condemned by our government, as we continue efforts to secure the safety and return of Kessab’s civilian residents to their ancestral homes.”

In a letter to constituents sent earlier today, Chairman Menendez stated, “Like you, I am gravely concerned by reports of a March 21, 2014 attack on the predominantly Syrian Armenian town of Kessab, near the Turkish border, by al-Qaeda-linked terrorists based in Turkey. Attacks of this nature are another example of a dangerous new chapter in the violence now engulfing Syria; one where Syrian minorities are actively targeted by Islamic extremists because of their religion and ethnicity. I condemn all such attacks, including those on Armenian Christians.”

In a joint letter to President Obama, Representatives Pallone, Grimm, Valadao and Schiff echoed these concerns, noting “When coupled with a mass exodus of the Armenian community, these events are far too reminiscent of the early days of the Armenian Genocide, which took place nearly 100 years ago in Ottoman Turkey under the cover of World War I.” The letter goes on to state, “With the Christian Armenian community being uprooted from its homeland, yet again, we strongly urge you to take all necessary measures without delay to safeguard the Christian Armenian community of Kessab. We also believe that now is the time to redouble America’s efforts to ensure that all minority communities at risk in the Middle East are afforded greater protection.”

Senior House Foreign Affairs Committee member Rep. Brad Sherman stated that he has “been in contact with the State Department and have urged them to take the necessary actions to assist the Armenians in Syria. Turkey must take immediate action to help prevent extremist attacks on Armenian civilians.”

Rep. James McGovern, Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, explained, “I strongly condemn the brutal attacks on the Armenian-populated town of Kessab by al-Qaeda affiliated armed bands.” He went on to note that he is “deeply concerned by the reports that these attacks allegedly originated in Turkey and demand that the United States and international community conduct a thorough and critical investigation of these claims.”

Central California Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA), in a letter to his constituents, wrote, “As you may know, al Qaeda-linked terrorists attacked Armenians and other Christians in the Syrian town of Kessab, Syria six days ago. These attacks are deplorable, and I have made clear to the State Department that we must determine exactly what happened and continue to work with our allies to prevent such atrocities from happening again.”

Schiff and Sherman Tweet to #SaveKessab Representatives Adam Schiff and Brad Sherman shared their concern regarding the Kessab attacks on social media today, joining with concerned Armenians around the world in an effort led by the Armenian Youth Federation to trend the hashtag #SaveKessab.

Thousands participated in the international targeted tweeting session on Friday, March 28th from 3:00pm to 5:00pm EST, to raise awareness regarding the humanitarian crisis in Kessab and Turkey’s role in the attacks.

“Urging the State Dept. to help Armenians in Syria. Turkey must take immediate action to help prevent attacks on Armenians. #SaveKessab,” tweeted Rep. Sherman, echoing his earlier statement.

“The vicious attacks by al Qaeda-affiliated terrorists against Armenians & other Christians in #Kessab are beyond appalling. #SaveKessab,” stated Rep. Schiff.

State Department “Deeply Troubled” by Kessab Attacks In a statement followed by an question and answer session during the daily State Department press briefing on Friday, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf explained, “we are deeply troubled by recent fighting and violence that is endangering the Armenian community in Kasab, Syria and has forced many to flee. There are far too many innocent civilians suffering as a result of the war. All civilians, as well as their places of worship, must be protected.” Harf continued to note, ” We have long had concerns about the threat posed by violent extremists and this latest threat to the Armenian community in Syria only underscores this further.”

Over the past week, thousands of Armenian Americans have contacted President Obama and their Senators and Representatives in response to an ANCA Action Alert (http://www.anca.org/savekessab) urging immediate condemnation of the attacks against the civilian population of Kessab and, specifically, Turkey’s role in facilitating those attacks.

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.

Text of Pallone-Grimm-Valadao-Schiff Letter to President Obama Regarding Kessab

March 28, 2014

The President The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

We are writing to express our serious concerns regarding credible reports that Islamist rebels entering from Turkey this past weekend were involved in attacks in the Latakia region of Syria, specifically the town of Kessab, which is a predominately Armenian populated area. Such actions shock the conscious and must be resoundingly condemned.

As the Wall Street Journal reported on March 26th, “For Armenian-Syrians from the town of Kassab [sic] in Latakia, which rebels overran this weekend, the Turkish involvement reminded them of a dark chapter in their history: the Armenian genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman empire in 1915.” These tragic developments are accompanied by disturbing reports of Armenian homes being looted and occupied. When coupled with a mass exodus of the Armenian community, these events are far too reminiscent of the early days of the Armenian Genocide, which took place nearly 100 years ago in Ottoman Turkey under the cover of World War I.

At the beginning of the 20th century, nearly 6,000 Armenians lived in Kessab. However, the July 1915 deportation of the Armenian population at the hands of the Ottoman Turks resulted in the loss of nearly 5,000 lives. Now, ninety-nine years after their initial deportation, another expulsion of Armenians is a telling reminder about the dangers of genocide denial and Turkey’s failure to address its genocidal legacy.

With the Christian Armenian community being uprooted from its homeland, yet again, we strongly urge you to take all necessary measures without delay to safeguard the Christian Armenian community of Kessab. We also believe that now is the time to redouble America’s efforts to ensure that all minority communities at risk in the Middle East are afforded greater protection.

Thank you for considering this urgent request.

Sincerely,

FRANK PALLONE, JR. Member of Congress

MICHAEL GRIMM Member of Congress

ADAM SCHIFF Member of Congress

DAVID VALADAO Member of Congress

Hundreds Protest Turkey’s Role in Kessab Attacks #savekessab

April 1, 2014 By administrator

LOS ANGELES—On Friday, March 28, hundreds of activists gathered in front of the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles to protest Turkey’s role in recent attacks against civilians in Kessab, Syria. The protest was organized by the Armenian Youth Federation and the Kessab Educational Association.

Civilians in Kessab were forced to flee their homes following attacks by al-Qaeda-linked groups on March 21.Turkey reportedly allowed hundreds of radical foreign fighters to cross its border and attack the civilian population, which includes over 2,000 Christian Armenians whose ancestors survived the Armenian Genocide. Armenian homes and churches were systematically desecrated and looted by the invaders. Some reports stated that injured extremists were returning to Turkey for medical treatment.

Protesters urged President Obama to condemn Turkey’s actions and demand that Turkey stop aiding the invaders immediately. The protest was paired with a social media campaign to bring attention and awareness to the atrocities taking place in Kessab facilitated by the Turkish government.

Social media users addressed the Kessab crisis using the hashtag #SaveKessab. The campaign began at 12 p.m. on Friday and continued throughout the weekend. AYF regions across the world contributed via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The social media campaign found success on Facebook, as the hashtag continues to trend today. On Twitter, there are nearly 100,000 tweets containing the hashtag, with an estimated reach of about 40 million people. Some high-profile tweets by Kim and Khloe Kardashian, The Game, Travis Barker, and Chris Martin also helped bring light to the campaign.

Councilmen Paul Krikorian (Los Angeles) and Jack Hadjinian (Montebello) addressed the crowd at the protest and called for Turkey to stop helping the al-Qaeda-linked forces. Armenian Bar Association chairman Garo Ghazarian highlighted the crisis facing Kessab Armenians and urged the community to come together in support of the displaced. Garo Ghazourian, Alique Cherchian and Alik Ourfalian delivered the AYF’s message.

The Armenian Youth Federation asks that all individuals posting about Kessab with #SaveKessab ensure that they use correct and factual information as to not discredit the campaign. Please make sure to conduct research on the photos, videos and statements being used to make sure that they are from the recent occurrences. Facts are what has made this campaign persevere. Let us educate ourselves in order to educate others.

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian-American youth organization in the United States, working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of Armenian-American youth.

Syrian forces retake strategic position in Latakia #savekessab

March 31, 2014 By administrator

Presstv Syrian government forces have taken full control of a strategic position in Latakia Province, the latest of the army’s recent achievements against the foreign-backed militants.

Syrian soldiers on Monday recaptured Observatory 45, a key hilltop in northern Latakia near the Turkish border which fell into the hands of Takfiri militants a week ago.

In a live report from the area, the Syrian TV showed the bodies of dead militants, among them were members of the al-Qaeda affiliated al-Nusra Front. Many of those killed are said to be non-Syrians.

The military has now launched a clearing operation in the region and is tracking down the holed up militants there.

After a series of losses in several provinces, militants have been struggling to shift their focus on to Latakia, which can give them access to the Mediterranean Sea.

On Saturday, the official SANA news agency said the Syrian army had regained control of the towns of Ras al-Maara and Fleita, near the border with Lebanon.

The towns were the last bastions for the foreign-backed terrorist groups operating in the strategic Qalamoun region.

Also on Saturday, Syrian soldiers killed many terrorists after attacking their hideouts and destroying their weapons in a northern countryside of Latakia.

Government forces also carried out similar military operations in Homs, Aleppo and Daraa, inflicting heavy losses on the foreign-sponsored militants.

Syria has been gripped by deadly militancy since March 2011. Damascus blames the West and its regional allies for fuelling violence in the country by providing militants with money and weapons.

Over 140,000 people have been killed and millions displaced by relentless violence in Syria.

Twitter: Kim Kardashian and Cher moved by the plight of Armenians Kessab

March 31, 2014 By administrator

After the rapper The Game, Kim Kardashian and singer Cher were moved, on Twitter, the fate of the Armenians Kessab (Syria), where 2,000 Armenians were driven from their historic village by jihadists with the complicity of the Turkish state .

KK wrote about him: “If you do not know what happens to Kessab please Google, it breaks the heart! Armenian as I grew up hearing so many painful stories! Prayer for everyone! ”

Cher and write “Please see what happens Kessab, Syria. Innocent Christians and Armenians were killed by Turks #SaveKessab ”

More than 4,000 people have retweeted the posts in question.

The US and Russia concerned by the fate of the Armenians Kessab

March 31, 2014 By administrator

Outdoor Ukrainian crisis, the United States and Russia have made statements expressing concern about the fate of Armenian-populated city in Syria that has been the subject of attacks by Islamist militants in recent days.

At a daily briefing in Washington on Friday, the deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said the United States was “deeply troubled by the recent fighting and violence that endangers the Armenian community Kessab, Syria, and forced many to flee. ”

Over 600 Armenian families fled their homes in the city in northwestern Syria after the arrival of armed groups affiliated to Al-Qaeda. Armenians fled Latakia, about 60 miles south.

“There are too many innocent civilians who are suffering because of the war. All civilians, and their places of worship, must be protected. As we have said throughout this conflict, we deplore the constant threats against Christians and other minorities in Syria, “she said. “And as you can see from reading the conversation of President Obama with Pope Francis Thursday, they discussed among others the fate of minorities, especially Christians, in Syria today . ”

Marie Harf also cited statements made by advocacy groups to Kessab saying they do not target civilians and respect minorities and holy places. “We expect that these commitments are met. The United States will continue to lead a strong support to those affected by the violence in Syria and throughout the region, including the Syrian Armenians. We have long been concerns about the threat posed by violent extremists, and this latest threat to the Armenian community in Syria only underscores this new, “said Harf.

This statement was followed by an exchange with a journalist who attended the meeting.

He said: “According to reports in Turkey, Foreign Minister Davutoglu planned provocation inside Syria, giving an excuse for Turkey to invade the country. ‘Did you comments “Having said that it was an alleged telephone conversation, the deputy spokesman said:” As I said on Thursday, I have nothing for you on calls or alleged conversations that are among Turkish officials. ”

“But Mr Davutoglu said … that the tape is authentic. “At that statement, Harf said,” Again, I will not comment on these allegations. ”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has also issued a statement on Friday expressing concern over the attacks against the Armenian-populated city Kessab conducted with the support of artillery and heavy equipment. He strongly condemned the acts of terrorism and other crimes against civilians, clearly indicating that the tank guns were applied from the territory of Turkey.

“The seizure by extremists City Kessab has attracted wide coverage in the Armenian communities worldwide. A demonstration was held in front of the UN office in Yerevan. At the same time, the leaders of the Republic of Armenia expressed their gratitude to the Syrian government for the defense of the Armenian population, “said the Russian Foreign Ministry.

“The impression is that the more vigorous activities by extremists seek to prevent the resumption of intra-Syrian negotiations, leaving the Syrians the possibility of a political and diplomatic settlement. They aim to thwart the process of chemical demilitarization Syria. Such a scenario is inadmissible, “said he added.

Kessab Mayor: Video showing alleged killing of Armenians by terrorists is fake

March 31, 2014 By administrator

March 31, 2014 | 18:43

A video of alleged killing of Kessab Armenians by terrorists that is spread by media is untrue, Kessab Mayor Vazgen Chaparyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

He said around 30 old people stayed in Kessab for several days because they were unable to move y themselves, but they have already been transported to Latakia.

At the moment, the Syrian army is fighting for Kessab, but they are moving slowly so that not to harm the city, Chaparyan emphasized.

As regards Armenians, they left their houses in a hurry without taking neither clothes, nor documents.

“The Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the government have providing assistance to Kessab Armenians so far,” he added.

In the early morning on March 21, armed militants from the Jabhat al-Nusra Islamic terrorist group infiltrated into northern Syria’s Latakia Governorate, which is predominantly inhabited by Armenians and Alawites, from four directions. Two large groups of terrorists had launched the attack from Turkey.

22 Armenians were kidnapped from Kessab and taken to Turkey #savekessab

March 29, 2014 By administrator

Of those Armenians who remained in Kessab, 22 were kidnapped and taken to Turkey, deputy chairman of the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party (SDHP) Armenia office, Syrian Armenian Vazgen Mesropyan told Panorama.am.

“We have exact information that those people who did not leave their homes in Kessab were kidnapped, with 11 people being unaccounted for,” he said.

Mr Mesropyan noted that more than 40 Armenians did not leave Kessab.

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.

Syrian-Armenian Town’s Fate Murky After Rebel Grab #savekessab

March 29, 2014 By administrator

By ALBERT AJI and DIAA HADID Associated Press

Associated Press

When hundreds of residents of the postcard-pretty coastal Syrian village of Kassab fled this week, it bore historic weight: it was the third time since 1900 that ethnic Armenians there felt compelled to run for their lives.

They left once at the hands of vengeful Turkish neighbors, and later because of Ottoman forces. This time it was Syrian rebels storming into town. It was a heavy blow for the minority community that sees the town as key to preserving the Armenians’ identity in Syria.

Kassab “is a symbol of Armenian history, language and continuity. It’s very symbolic,” said Ohannes Geukjian, a political science professor who writes on contemporary Armenian history and politics. “And so the fall of Kassab, I consider it the defeat of Armenian identity in that area.”

Rebels seized control of Kassab on Sunday after launching an attack two days earlier in the coastal Syrian province of Latakia. The fighters were from an array of conservative and Islamic groups, including the al-Qaida-affiliated Nusra Front.

The province has an ancient Armenian presence, but is better known as a bastion of support for President Bashar Assad. It is his ancestral home and that of followers of the Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam, that he belongs to.

The clashes led most of Kassab’s estimated 2,000 residents to flee some 35 miles (57 kilometers) to Latakia city, emptying out a village that boasted a Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant church.

“We had to flee only with our clothes. We couldn’t take anything, not even the most precious thing — a handful of soil from Kassab. We couldn’t take our memories,” said a woman to Syrian state television. She identified herself as Kassab resident, but didn’t give her name.

Kassab is surrounded by the villas of middle-class Syrians who built their homes amid green wooded hills overlooking the sea. The area got a boost from a popular 2008 Syrian telenovela, “Daya, Daya,” which was filmed in nearby village of Samra. Tourists flock to the area in the summer.

Kassab residents, speaking to Syrian television, said mortar shells and gunfire came from the Turkish border toward their village. A Syrian field commander on a government-organized trip told journalists in the nearby town of Badrousieh that gunmen began their attack “with clear support from the Turks.”

Turkish officials refuted the claims.

“The allegations by some circles that Turkey is providing support to the opposition forces by letting them use its territory or through some other ways during the conflict … are totally unfounded,” the Turkish government said in a media statement on Wednesday.

The Turkish government was prepared to admit Syrian Armenian refugees and “protection could be provided to them,” the statement said.

Armenia’s President Serge Sarkisian said Kassab was attacked by Turkish militants in 1909, forcing local Armenians to flee for their lives. In 1915, as the 600-year-old Ottoman empire violently unraveled, the Armenian population was deported by the Turks, and thousands died as they marched across the desert.

A website created by Kassab descendants, “Kessabtsiner,” confirmed those events.

“This is the third expulsion of Armenians from Kassab and it represents a major challenge to modern mechanisms for the protection of ethnic minorities,” Sarkisian said in a statement this week.