#savekessab Archives

Syria, Kessab population in danger, partially evacuated to Latakia: report

December 24, 2014 By administrator

The residents of the Armenian-populated Syrian town of Kessab are once again finding themselves in danger. The town, that just started reviving after the spring 2014’s tragic events, was under the threat of shelling 2 days ago, after the rocket strike on Leghi Jur checkpoint nearby, according to Yerakouyn.com.

The majority of the Kessab population was reevaluated to Latakia. Also, groups of armed militants were noted at the border with Syria, military sources report.

Located in the northwestern corner of Syria, near the border with Turkey, Kessab had, for a while 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 March 21, extremist foreign fighters launched a vicious attack on Kessab civilians, forcing them to flee neighboring Latakia and Bassit. Hundreds of Kessab Armenians found refuge in Latakia.

The 3-year civil war in Syria took the lives of over 170,000 and displaced around 9 million. Before the war, Syria was home to around 80,000 Armenians. At present, 10,000 left for Armenia and 5,000 for Lebanon.

#savekessab

Battles in Syria’s Kessab continue

April 29, 2014 By administrator

The heated battles continue in Syria’s Armenian populated town of Kessab and its neighboring regions.

Tert.am’s sources report that the government forces have managed to liberate several key coastal districts though it is still early to speak about retaking the entire city and ensure the local Armenians’ return.

Aleppo, Syria’s former economic capital which has a big Armenian community, has now resumed the electricity supply after a 12-day outage.

Tert.am’s sources in Aleppo say that the situation was relatively calm on Monday.

The problem of the food shortage, which caused a major panic especially in the Easter period, has also been resolved. The city now has fuel supply, but cars still reportedly line up near gas filling stations. The city is said to be facing a shortage of liquid gas balloons.

France: A delegation from the CCAF received by the president of the UMP in the National Assembly

April 17, 2014 By administrator

A delegation from the CCAF (Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France) consisting of Ara Toranian its co-chair, and Hrach Varjabedian, Co FRA ARF (Member CFC), was received Wednesday at the National

Valerie Boyer MP Marseille and Philippe Meunier du Rhône member also participated in this meeting devoted to the fate of the Armenians and also the concern of Christian minorities in the region. The Delegation of CCAF has focused on the role of the Turkish authorities in the attempt of ethnic cleansing against Kessab a particularly symbolic place because it represented the last surviving Armenian in range of Turkey.

700 Armenian families, survivors of the 1915 genocide, who had observed a strict neutrality in the Syrian conflict, and who only wanted to live in peace, have indeed had to abandon their ancestral village to escape the armed forces assault Islamists supported and manipulated by Ankara. These terrorist groups now occupy their homes, desecrate their churches and rob them of their property.

The Delegation noted that the CFC these events shall be dubbed anti-Armenian exacerbated racism which, other things being equal, belongs to the same fanaticism as that presided 1915 genocide criminal ideology. Logic that is also found in the state professed denial by Turkey and which has lead to Kessab on a new outlet.

Faced with this criminal insanity, which is today through the worst Islamist armed arms in the Syrian conflict organizations, CCAF delegation has called for an awareness and a burst of Western democracies, especially the forces involved in the defense of human rights.

The president of the UMP group in the National Assembly is committed to a question the government on this issue and to invite his alter ego of the Senate to do the same. Participants in the meeting expressed the need for clarification of the position of France on the drama and issues.

Thursday, April 17, 2014,

Source: Stéphane © armenews.com

# SaveKessab Ararat TV (Video in French)

April 10, 2014 By administrator

The issuance of Richard Findykian “CLUB ARARAT TV – RADIO DIALOGUE” is dedicated to Kessab Syria – Speakers: Fabrice Balanche, Lecturer at the University Lyon 2, Syria specialist and director of the Research Group and studies on the Mediterranean and the Middle East (GREMMO) and Ara Toranian, co-chairman of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France (CCAF) and editor of the magazine News from Armenia – Guests: Jacques Donabédian, President of CFC Marseille Provence, Jacques Ouloussian Association President ARAM (Association for Research and Archiving Armenian Memory), Annie Stepanow, referent Mission 2015 for the south of France, Treasurer CFC Marseille Provence, Dr Jean- Charles Zaven Gabrielian surgeon – Magazine – Making radio: Frédéric Marty

Demonstration of a thousand people to the Turkish consulate in Marseille

April 8, 2014 By administrator

bout a thousand people attended the Monday event organized by the South CCAF (Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France) to Marseille to denounce the Islamist attack against Kessab where 3,500 Armenians who were forced to abandon their homes lived . The event took place in front of the Turkish consulate Avenue du Prado. The speakers blamed Turkey responsibility for these terrorist acts that resulted in the destruction of this village, the last relic of the Armenian presence in the region. Donabédian Jacques, president of the South CCAF called the French government to react against this “terror perpetrated against the Armenian community of Syria” and strongly condemned Turkey.

HyeAID3 Concert to Raise Funds for Kessab

April 5, 2014 By administrator

GLENDALE—Over the past two years, the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF) Executive Committee has been faithful to its mission, with calls to action, press releases, fundraisers and two major concerts, HyeAID and HyeAID2, combining efforts with those of artists and volunteers.

Today’s call to action is to save Kessab.

Join SARF on Tuesday, April 29, at 7 p.m., at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, Calif., to enjoy performances by beloved and admired artists, who are volunteering their time for the sake of the Armenians of Kessab, who two weeks ago fled from their ancestral homes to survive.

Get your tickets at itsmyseat.com/HyeAID or call the telephone numbers listed on the event flyer.

The following churches, charities and organizations came together to form the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF) in August 2012: Armenian Catholic Eparchy in North America; Armenian Evangelical Union of North America; Western Diocese of the Armenian Church; Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America; Armenian General Benevolent Union; Armenian Missionary Association of America; Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S.A.; Armenian Democratic Liberal Party; Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Western U.S.A.; and Social Democrat Hunchakian Party – Western U.S.A. The SARF mailing address is P.O. Box 1948, Glendale, CA 91209 1948. The web site is SyrianArmenianReliefFund.org.

Kessab Armenians in L.A. Take Action to #SaveKessab

April 4, 2014 By administrator

LOS ANGELES—The Kessab Educational Association (KEA) of Los Angeles has issued a plea to the United Nations to close the Syrian-Turkish border and protect the town of Kessab, which came under attack in the morning hours of March 21 after Syrian rebels aided by Turkey attacked the peaceful town on the northwestern border of Syria. Approximately 2,000 Kessab Armenians fled.

“Kessab is the last Armenian-populated town left from the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia,” said KEA of LA president Esther Tognozzi. “We cannot allow it to be destroyed and our brothers, sisters and cousins from Kessab to be displaced.”

At a Town Hall meeting at the Kessab Center on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, representatives of the Armenian National Committee, Syrian Armenian Relief Fund, Armenian Revolutionary Federation and Armenian Youth Federation spoke to more than 120 concerned Armenian-Americans with origins in Kessab about what is being done on an international level to bring attention to the attack on the Kessab region.

Approximately 2,000 Armenians fled Kessab and its surrounding villages after the March 21 attack, escaping to the coastal town of Latakia. There are approximately 60 families living in refuge in the Armenian Apostolic Church in Latakia, sleeping wherever there is space in the facility.

Armenians the world over have rushed to the aid of the displaced Kessab Armenians. The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) has allocated $125,000, the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF) $100,000, and there have been numerous other smaller donations announced. The KEA of LA has been consistently supporting the people of Kessab since the outbreak of the war in Syria nearly 3 years ago.

The KEA of LA urges Armenians who wish to donate to do so through the following organizations: Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF), the Armenian Relief Society, and the Catholicosate in Antelias, noting that the donation is earmarked for Kessab. The KEA of LA also is accepting donations for Kessab relief.

SARF has announced a fund-raising concert, Hye Aid 3, on April 29 to raise funds for the displaced Kessab Armenians. Visit the SARF website for further details.

A younger generation of Armenian-Americans whose family came to the U.S. from Kessab has become actively involved in spreading information about the attack on Kessab and the plight of displaced Kessab Armenians by promoting the #SaveKessab hashtag on social media.

Four Kessab Armenians spoke at Congressman Brad Sherman’s Town Hall meeting in Van Nuys on Sunday, March 23, just 2 days after the attack, and informed the congressman about what they had heard from family who had been forced to flee Kessab. Both Rep. Brad Sherman and Rep. Adam Schiff last week released statements condemning the attacks by Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorists against Kessab Armenians and Christians.

In an appeal to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, with copies to four UN human rights officials, the KEA stated:

“In the spirit of peace, international humanitarian law and respect for human rights, including those of religious minorities, we respectfully request:

• That the United Nations call for the immediate cessation of the bombardment of the Kessab region and the indiscriminate attack on its peaceful civilian population by rebels with the complicity of Turkish border troops, which is in blatant violation of international human rights and humanitarian law;

• That the United Nations and its affiliated agencies intervene or otherwise ensure the physical safety and legal protection of the Kessab Armenians and of all Armenians and other religious minorities in Syria caught in the crossfire of this humanitarian calamity;

• That the United Nations provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced persons of Kessab and its surrounding villages (Karadouran, Sev Aghpiur, Baghjaghas, Eckez-Oloukh, Eskiuran, Dooz Aghach, and Chinarjek) who have been forcibly displaced from their ancestral homes, lands and livelihoods as a result of these bombardments and armed attacks;

• That the United Nations assist in the peaceful return and resettlement of Kessab Armenians to their ancestral homes, lands and livelihoods.”

The KEA of LA says it will continue serving as a clearing house of information about the situation in Kessab.

Over 1,000 Sydney Armenians gather in #SaveKessab protest

April 3, 2014 By administrator

April 3, 2014 – 09:05 AMT

Sydney Armenians gathered in what was one of the world’s biggest #SaveKessab protests, organized by the Armenian Youth Federation of Australia (AYF Australia). Over 1,000 activists, mostly youth, demanded that Turkey be held responsible for allowing access to Syrian rebels, who invaded the Armenian-populated town of Kessab in Syria last month, ANC International reported.

The ABC and Channel 10 covered the protest on network television, while SBS Radio, ABC Radio and 2GB ensured it echoed on Australia’s airwaves. A social media drive drew Twitter and Facebook support from Federal Member of Parliament and Australia’s former Defense Minister, Joel Fitzgibbon, and Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales, Rev. Fred Nile.

Protesters were angered that Turkey, after committing the still-unpunished Armenian Genocide in 1915, could once again be responsible for the persecution of civilian Armenians, living peacefully in Kessab over centuries.

“It is simply unacceptable,” said AYF Australia chairperson, Aram Tufenkjian. “In this day and age, we cannot sit idly by while Turkey continues its unrepentant persecution of Armenians and other minorities.”

He added: “It is clear that until Turkey is held to account for the Armenian Genocide, it will continue to invade and persecute Armenians. We are here to hold them to account, to demand justice, and to show our solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Kessab, who have been forced to flee their homes.”

The large crowd, which included students from Galstaun College and members of the Armenian Apostolic and Armenian Catholic clergy, chanted: “Turkey is guilty, Turkey must pay!”, “1915. Never Again!”, “Get your hands of Kessab!”, “Democracy. Ha Ha!”, “Shame, Turkey, Shame”.

Speakers included members of the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) and AYF Australia, while a letter from students of Galstaun College was hand-delivered to the Turkish Consul General of NSW through the Australian Federal Police in attendance.

There was a small Turkish counter-protest, which consisted of members of the local community attempting to disrupt the Armenian protest by blowing on whistles.

ANC Australia Executive Director, Vache Kahramanian said: “Our protest is not against the Turkish people of Australia, it is held at the Consulate because we are protesting against a government with blood on its hands. The blood of our ancestors, whose murders they deny was committed by their predecessors. And the blood of Kessab Armenians, who have lost their homes to flee slaughter due to Turkey allowing extremists into the region through its border.”

Photo: ANC International

#SaveKessab Campaign spreads in social networks

March 31, 2014 By administrator

March 31, 2014 | 01:48

The #SaveKessab Campaign, whose objective is to save Syria’s predominantly Armenian-populated town of Kessab, gathered pace throughout the social networks, specifically in Twitter and Instagram.

Well-known personalities, such as famous American music band Blink 182’s drummer Travis Barker, have joined this campaign.

“#StopGenocide #SaveKessab I have a lot of Armenian friends I love & support that are like #FAMILY to me,” Barker wrote in his Instagram account.

Campaign supporters have been targeting celebrities and politicians alike on Twitter in an attempt to get the word out about a story most of the mainstream media is ignoring, Social News Daily reported.

Famous American-Armenian personalities Khloé and Kim Kardashian as well as retired Russian professional boxer Nikolai Valuev likewise have lent support to the#SaveKessab Campaign.

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. About 600 Kessab-Armenian families are currently sheltered in Latakia city. On March 23, Turkish fighter planes downed a Syrian military aircraft that was conducting a mission against the Islamic terrorists in Kessab. A group of Armenia parliament members recently visited Syria to assess the situation in the region.

#savekessab 22 Armenians Kessab missing so far … their families fear the worst .

March 30, 2014 By administrator

In the absence of news about 22 Armenians who remained in Armenian village Kessab in northern Syria, near the Turkish border, families are worried. “We do not know if these people were killed, or taken in Turkey were subjected to another lot. We have no precise information on the 22 Armenians who refused to leave Kessab “said Hasmig Mandjian-Berberian Kessab a resident who found refuge in Latakia. Many rumors related to their fate run with these Armenian refugees Kessab. “Children, sisters or brothers search for their parents,” she said while Kessab is intense fighting between the forces of prey Syrian army and Islamist rebels infiltrated Turkey. Recall that the U.S. State Department said he was “deeply concerned” about the fate of the Armenians Kessab.