ALEPPO, Syria (A.W.)—After enduring water shortage and blackouts last month, Syrian Armenians are once again facing obliteration. In the days leading up to the June 3 Syrian presidential elections, the Syrian opposition intensified its offensive on the regime-held territories.
According to sources in Aleppo, since June 1, more than 60 mortar bombs have landed in the predominantly Armenian neighborhoods of Nor Kyough (Meedan) and Suleimanieh.
Since the escalation of the attacks on May 26, several Armenians have been killed. Among the casualties are Avedis Kebabjian and Rahel Tavitian. The latest registered casualty is Antranig Kantarjian. His body was found in the rubble on June 2.
On May 31, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) lost one of its own: Misak Barkevi Boshgezenian. Boshgezenian’s memorial was held on June 1at the St. Asdvadzadzin Church in Aleppo.
Several Armenians have also sustained injuries. They include Stepan Aroushian, Zareh Ghazarian, Zareh Kaekejian, Manoug Ghazelian, Hovsep Aramian, and Harout Iskenian. They have since received adequate treatment, and their condition is stable.
The opposition’s mortar bombs not only caused injuries and deaths, but also damaged and destroyed the infrastructure of the Syrian-Armenian properties in Aleppo. Numerous homes, workshops, schools, churches, and national establishments were targeted in the most recent wave of attacks.
Last month, for several weeks, water and electricity were cut off in Aleppo. Millions of civilians, including the 25,000 Armenians of Aleppo, were left scrambling to find drinking water. “We acquired some water from the Quayk River, boiled it and drank it,” said Hagop from Aleppo. “Some of us had no other alternative.”
“Due to the heavy bombardment in the Nor Kyough neighborhood, our beloved Karen Jeppe now has a new entrance,” said a Syrian-Armenian activist from Aleppo.
Shame on the ROA for not doing everything and anything possible to evacuate these people to safety. It’s been three years, they could have planned and executed such plan if they chose to. I wonder if Russia is putting pressure on Armenia not to interfere. This is a great opportunity for Russia to vilify the west and to stir Armenian sentiment towards Mother Russia,
azeri members of Al Qaeda at work. I bet you anything! And turkey finishing up what it began 99 years ago.
We will overcome this one too..We will stay strong and united. These barbarian Turks will not succeed destruction of humanity any longer.
Thanks to Mr Obama and his US administration and allies these flesh-eating animals are armed with deadly missiles and weapons. Turkey is only following suit and is very much involved.
All the atrocities committed by these terrorists are ignored and overlooked by these so called Democratic leaders of US and their allies who now seem to be in cahoots with Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organisations hurting innocent people.
These acts of crime against humanity committed in Syria are the end result of decisions made by US/allies.
Turkey has been encouraged by US to stir things up from the beginning. They only follow orders. Turkey is a place where most terrorist go to gain entry to Syria. Turkish terrorists are also involved.
Obama administration who would look for any excuse (Even if they had to invent one!) to “punish terrorists” are now SPEECHLESS.
Mr Putin is happy to see this setting. It only proves (Right) what he had said at the beginning – Trying to discourage US to arm the terrorists. Mr Putin is the only winner!
It looks like Mr. Putin has succeeded in making you an ardent supporter of Mother Russia. The same Mother Russia that has supplied Azeris with billions of dollars in military weapons.
Thank you Mother Russia, we are forever grateful to your perpetual benevolence.