WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo/Redwood City) issued the following statement today after recent attacks against Armenian Christians in Kessab, Syria, forced about 2,000 people to flee their homes.

“Armenians are once again being forced to leave their homes as Syria’s civil war rages on and Turkey meddles in the war-torn country’s affairs. The small village of Kessab was a safe haven for this Christian community, but now their futures are cast in great doubt as they seek refuge elsewhere, not knowing whether they will ever return home. No one should have to live in fear or leave their homes because of the faith they practice.

“Anti-Armenian violence is real but much of the world still denies it. We must open our eyes to the truth that the assault on these Christians continues almost 100 years after the Armenian genocide that left nearly l.5 million dead. The U.S. must launch formal inquiries into Turkey’s role and whether this is al-Qaeda-linked aggression.”

U.S. Representative Speier is one of two Armenian Americans serving in Congress.

Congresswoman Jackie Speier represents California’s 14th Congressional District, which includes parts of San Francisco and San Mateo counties. She is a senior member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). In her role on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the Congresswoman is a ranking member on the Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care, and Entitlements and serves on the Subcommittee on National Security. She serves on the Readiness Subcommittee and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on HASC and is a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.