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Armenians Fleeing From War-Torn Syria

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  • Armenians Fleeing From War-Torn Syria

    ARMENIANS FLEEING FROM WAR-TORN SYRIA

    Voice of Russia
    July 10 2012

    The conflict in Syria, which the authorities describe as a fight
    against terrorists, while the opposition describes as a civil war,
    has forced people to flee from the country. Following foreigners,
    entire ethnic communities are leaving Syria. Ethnic Armenians in
    Syria have started to either return to their motherland, or to fly
    to their relatives in the West.

    According to a report released by the London-based Syrian Human Rights
    Committee, over 17,000 people, including 12,000 civilians have been
    killed in Syria since the clashes between the opposition and the
    government forces broke out last year. Meanwhile, the UN says that
    almost a quarter of million people have become refugees. This figure
    includes ethnic Armenians who have been forced to flee from Syria in
    the past months. According to various reports, the Armenian community
    consists of up to 120,000 people the majority of whom are descendents
    of Armenians who survived the 1915 massacre in the Ottoman Empire. At
    present, they have to save their lives by fleeing from a new war,
    says director of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Armenian
    Academy of Sciences Ruben Safrastyan.

    "Reports from Syria say that the situation of the Armenian community
    there is critical. People have practically fallen victim to the
    fighting which has raged across Syria. Among the victims are ethnic
    Armenians. On a background of these reports, it's not surprising that
    many people prefer to return to Armenia. According to official sources,
    the number of people who are returning has already exceeded 2,000. I
    believe that this number will grow. For decades, the Armenian community
    has safely lived in Syria. I would say that it has even flourished. A
    year ago when the Syrian opposition launched its campaign against the
    government, Armenians have daily been subjected to danger. Armenians
    will not return to Syria until this danger disappears and peace is
    restored," Ruben Safrastyan said.

    According to those who talked to the Voice of Russia reporters, none
    the less, the majority of refugees hope to return back to Syria and
    are applying for dual citizenship, which is permissible in Armenia.

    People leave their businesses and houses in Syria. The majority
    of ethnic Armenians live in Allepo, Qamishli, Damascus, Lataki
    and Kesari. But it's unsafe to stay there, especially when taking
    into account their Christian faith, says political scientist Levon
    Shakhnazaryan.

    "Although Armenians try to observe neutrality, all signs of the civil
    war in Syria show that they are embroiled in it. Bombings continue
    on Syrian districts and houses regardless who lives there. Moreover,
    Islamist groups that have recently appeared specially target Christian
    churches and Armenian houses. Experts say that if the events in Syria
    continue this way, from 35 to 50 thousand ethnic Armenians will leave
    for Armenia," Levon Shakhnazaryan said.

    At present, the Armenian authorities are drawing up a plan to help
    refugees who will be granted citizenship under a simplified procedure
    within a short period of time.


    From: Baghdasarian
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