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Al-Arabiya TV, UAE
Aug 24 2012
Free Syrian Army military head denies reports on threatening country's Armenians
Dubai-based Al-Arabiyah Television in Arabic at 1309 gmt on 24 August
carried a three-minute live telephone interview with Staff Brigadier
General Mustafa al-Shaykh, chairman of the Higher Military Council in
the Free Syrian Army [FSA], speaking from the Syrian-Turkish border.
Asked to comment on alleged "differences between the FSA and some
Armenian residents in Syria," Al-Shaykh said: "What is happening in
Syria today, particularly in the past few days, is unprecedented
tyranny and torture, as well as indiscriminate artillery shelling,
which is meant to end the struggle in Syria quickly and break the will
of this great people that have started an uprising against injustice,
corruption, and sectarianism. Today the Syrian security [services]
have fabricated a statement saying that the FSA is threatening the
Armenians in Syria, an act that does not befit the culture of the
Syrian people. I am not saying this for media consumption, but history
proves this as well. Neither our culture nor our tradition or religion
accepts this. The problem is with the regime, which opts for security
solutions and is fabricating things. The regime has managed to move
the revolution from being peaceful to a militarized one. However, it
could not involve the Syrian people in sectarian divisions. As for our
brother Armenians, I say that several ethnic groups had immigrated to
Syria and lived in it for tens and even hundreds of years, and no such
incidents have taken place in Syria. The main problem is with the
regime; and to be more accurate, the problem is in a small number of
influential Alawite figures in the regime who do not exceed scores in
number. They are the families of Al-Asad and Makhluf, who only
represent a small minority. This minority has dragged the Alawites
into such [sectarian divisions], which they, along with wise men and
patriotic people, reject. Historically speaking, this sect had not
accepted divisions during the French colonialism. They are our people;
they are Muslims; and they are part of this social fabric that
includes Armenians, Christians, Circassians, Turkmens, and others.
There are 14 or 15 ethnic groups in Syria, and the FSA or the
revolution that started with the aim to end justice cannot act in this
way."
Aug 24 2012
Free Syrian Army military head denies reports on threatening country's Armenians
Dubai-based Al-Arabiyah Television in Arabic at 1309 gmt on 24 August
carried a three-minute live telephone interview with Staff Brigadier
General Mustafa al-Shaykh, chairman of the Higher Military Council in
the Free Syrian Army [FSA], speaking from the Syrian-Turkish border.
Asked to comment on alleged "differences between the FSA and some
Armenian residents in Syria," Al-Shaykh said: "What is happening in
Syria today, particularly in the past few days, is unprecedented
tyranny and torture, as well as indiscriminate artillery shelling,
which is meant to end the struggle in Syria quickly and break the will
of this great people that have started an uprising against injustice,
corruption, and sectarianism. Today the Syrian security [services]
have fabricated a statement saying that the FSA is threatening the
Armenians in Syria, an act that does not befit the culture of the
Syrian people. I am not saying this for media consumption, but history
proves this as well. Neither our culture nor our tradition or religion
accepts this. The problem is with the regime, which opts for security
solutions and is fabricating things. The regime has managed to move
the revolution from being peaceful to a militarized one. However, it
could not involve the Syrian people in sectarian divisions. As for our
brother Armenians, I say that several ethnic groups had immigrated to
Syria and lived in it for tens and even hundreds of years, and no such
incidents have taken place in Syria. The main problem is with the
regime; and to be more accurate, the problem is in a small number of
influential Alawite figures in the regime who do not exceed scores in
number. They are the families of Al-Asad and Makhluf, who only
represent a small minority. This minority has dragged the Alawites
into such [sectarian divisions], which they, along with wise men and
patriotic people, reject. Historically speaking, this sect had not
accepted divisions during the French colonialism. They are our people;
they are Muslims; and they are part of this social fabric that
includes Armenians, Christians, Circassians, Turkmens, and others.
There are 14 or 15 ethnic groups in Syria, and the FSA or the
revolution that started with the aim to end justice cannot act in this
way."