ESCALATION AROUND KESSAB CALMS DOWN: REPORT
December 25, 2014 - 17:36 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian-populated Syrian town of Kessab saw
certain escalation in recent days. Women and children were evacuated
to neighboring Latakia, with men left behind to guard the town,
Karabakh-open.info said.
The town, that just started reviving after the spring 2014's tragic
events, was under the threat of shelling 3 days ago, after the rocket
strike on Leghi Jur checkpoint nearby.
At present, the situation has calmed down, with Kessab residents
urging against spreading unverified information.
According to earlier reports from military sources, groups of armed
militants were noted at the border with Syria.
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.
December 25, 2014 - 17:36 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian-populated Syrian town of Kessab saw
certain escalation in recent days. Women and children were evacuated
to neighboring Latakia, with men left behind to guard the town,
Karabakh-open.info said.
The town, that just started reviving after the spring 2014's tragic
events, was under the threat of shelling 3 days ago, after the rocket
strike on Leghi Jur checkpoint nearby.
At present, the situation has calmed down, with Kessab residents
urging against spreading unverified information.
According to earlier reports from military sources, groups of armed
militants were noted at the border with Syria.
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.