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US Armenian group says Turkey assisting rebels in Kessab
25 March 2014 /İSTANBUL, TODAY'S ZAMAN
An influential Armenian group based in the United States has claimed
that Turkey facilitated attacks by rebels on a largely Armenian town
in Syria on the Turkish border and has urged the US administration and
Congress to pressure Ankara to end its support.
Fighters from an array of rebel groups, including the al-Qaeda-linked
al-Nusra Front -- designated as a terrorist group by the US -- seized
the control of the town of Kessab on Sunday, two days after the rebels
launched an offensive. Most of the Armenian residents of the town,
which is located in northwestern Syria and is administratively a part
of Latakia province, fled after the attacks began.
The Syrian government as well as several Armenian websites claim that
the rebels entered Syria from Turkey. In a strongly worded statement
released on Monday, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
quoted its chairman, Ken Hachikian as saying, "The attacks on the
predominantly Armenian-populated village of Kessab over the weekend
represent an attack on all Armenians.'
`The Armenian-American community stands united in seeking to reverse
the events of the last several days, which has seen militant
extremists stream into Kessab from Turkey. We are strongly urging our
government, led by President [Barack] Obama and congressional leaders,
to send a firm message to Ankara that the safe haven and safe passage
being offered to these militant groups intent on destroying Kessab
must end," Hachikian said.
He urged the US administration to direct Secretary of State John
Kerry, the US ambassador to Turkey and the US ambassador to the United
Nations `to demand that Turkey halt the cross-border attacks on
Kessab,' according to the ANCA statement.
In a letter addressed to Obama, Hachikian said: `Turkey's facilitation
of al-Qaeda affiliated foreign fighters and their attacks on innocent
civilians in Syria undermines ongoing US and international efforts to
bring peace to a country ravaged by violence for far too long. For
Armenians in the region and around the world, Turkey's actions are a
horrifying and bitter reminder of the genocide committed against the
Armenian, Pontian and Syriac communities by Ottoman Turkish
authorities from 1915-1923.
The United States has the power to stop Turkey's provocations and
assistance to these radical groups and send a clear message that
targeted military strikes against innocent civilians is unacceptable
under any circumstances and a clear violation of international law. We
call on you to direct Secretary of State John Kerry, US Ambassador to
the Republic of Turkey Francis Ricciardone and US Ambassador to the
United Nations Samantha Power to immediately press Turkey to stop
facilitating attacks on civilians in Kessab and investigate Turkey's
reported assistance to foreign fighters associated with US-designated
terrorist groups. We, furthermore, ask your assistance in directing
need-based humanitarian aid to the victims of the onslaught on Kessab
as soon as possible.'
US Armenian group says Turkey assisting rebels in Kessab
25 March 2014 /İSTANBUL, TODAY'S ZAMAN
An influential Armenian group based in the United States has claimed
that Turkey facilitated attacks by rebels on a largely Armenian town
in Syria on the Turkish border and has urged the US administration and
Congress to pressure Ankara to end its support.
Fighters from an array of rebel groups, including the al-Qaeda-linked
al-Nusra Front -- designated as a terrorist group by the US -- seized
the control of the town of Kessab on Sunday, two days after the rebels
launched an offensive. Most of the Armenian residents of the town,
which is located in northwestern Syria and is administratively a part
of Latakia province, fled after the attacks began.
The Syrian government as well as several Armenian websites claim that
the rebels entered Syria from Turkey. In a strongly worded statement
released on Monday, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
quoted its chairman, Ken Hachikian as saying, "The attacks on the
predominantly Armenian-populated village of Kessab over the weekend
represent an attack on all Armenians.'
`The Armenian-American community stands united in seeking to reverse
the events of the last several days, which has seen militant
extremists stream into Kessab from Turkey. We are strongly urging our
government, led by President [Barack] Obama and congressional leaders,
to send a firm message to Ankara that the safe haven and safe passage
being offered to these militant groups intent on destroying Kessab
must end," Hachikian said.
He urged the US administration to direct Secretary of State John
Kerry, the US ambassador to Turkey and the US ambassador to the United
Nations `to demand that Turkey halt the cross-border attacks on
Kessab,' according to the ANCA statement.
In a letter addressed to Obama, Hachikian said: `Turkey's facilitation
of al-Qaeda affiliated foreign fighters and their attacks on innocent
civilians in Syria undermines ongoing US and international efforts to
bring peace to a country ravaged by violence for far too long. For
Armenians in the region and around the world, Turkey's actions are a
horrifying and bitter reminder of the genocide committed against the
Armenian, Pontian and Syriac communities by Ottoman Turkish
authorities from 1915-1923.
The United States has the power to stop Turkey's provocations and
assistance to these radical groups and send a clear message that
targeted military strikes against innocent civilians is unacceptable
under any circumstances and a clear violation of international law. We
call on you to direct Secretary of State John Kerry, US Ambassador to
the Republic of Turkey Francis Ricciardone and US Ambassador to the
United Nations Samantha Power to immediately press Turkey to stop
facilitating attacks on civilians in Kessab and investigate Turkey's
reported assistance to foreign fighters associated with US-designated
terrorist groups. We, furthermore, ask your assistance in directing
need-based humanitarian aid to the victims of the onslaught on Kessab
as soon as possible.'