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Syria video dispatch: Kessab churches burned and graves destroyed
Syrian insurgents once claimed to be protecting ancient churches in
the historical Armenian village of Kessab, but the reality was rather
different
By Ruth Sherlock
11:54AM GMT 04 Jan 2015
Protected by mountains, the idyllic Armenian village of Kessab was
initially sheltered from Syria's brutal civil war.
But, residents say, last spring Turkey opened the borders it shares
with the town, allowing Syrian rebel groups, with whom they are
allied, to invade.
Rebels first purported to show their "moderate" religious credentials
by protecting Kessab's Christian residents and heritage.
But very quickly, things changed, as crosses were shot and churches set on fire.
The desecration of religious sites in Kessab is some of the most
wholesale seen in the Syrian war.
In the Armenian Evangelical church, fire destroyed the library, floor
tiles were smashed, pews and cushions all incinerated.
There was no sign of damage from tank fire. Whoever started the fire,
did so from inside.
After they had finished, the perpetrators signed their names on the walls.
Some were from al-Qaeda, others were rebels who have received money
and weapons from the west.
Outside, the graves of the cemetery had been individually destroyed.
Far from inspiring confidence in those fighting to oust the Syrian
president Bashar al-Assad, the attack summoned bitter memories of
persecution for the 2500 Armenians who fled their homes.
Kessab was the scene of Armenian genocide of 1915 that saw 5000 of
their people slaughtered at the hands of the ottoman empire.
For now the rebels have been repelled, and the Turkish border posts
that surround the town have been closed. But Kessab's residents wonder
for how long.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11324061/Syria-video-dispatch-Kessab-churches-burned-and-graves-destroyed.html
Syrian insurgents once claimed to be protecting ancient churches in
the historical Armenian village of Kessab, but the reality was rather
different
By Ruth Sherlock
11:54AM GMT 04 Jan 2015
Protected by mountains, the idyllic Armenian village of Kessab was
initially sheltered from Syria's brutal civil war.
But, residents say, last spring Turkey opened the borders it shares
with the town, allowing Syrian rebel groups, with whom they are
allied, to invade.
Rebels first purported to show their "moderate" religious credentials
by protecting Kessab's Christian residents and heritage.
But very quickly, things changed, as crosses were shot and churches set on fire.
The desecration of religious sites in Kessab is some of the most
wholesale seen in the Syrian war.
In the Armenian Evangelical church, fire destroyed the library, floor
tiles were smashed, pews and cushions all incinerated.
There was no sign of damage from tank fire. Whoever started the fire,
did so from inside.
After they had finished, the perpetrators signed their names on the walls.
Some were from al-Qaeda, others were rebels who have received money
and weapons from the west.
Outside, the graves of the cemetery had been individually destroyed.
Far from inspiring confidence in those fighting to oust the Syrian
president Bashar al-Assad, the attack summoned bitter memories of
persecution for the 2500 Armenians who fled their homes.
Kessab was the scene of Armenian genocide of 1915 that saw 5000 of
their people slaughtered at the hands of the ottoman empire.
For now the rebels have been repelled, and the Turkish border posts
that surround the town have been closed. But Kessab's residents wonder
for how long.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11324061/Syria-video-dispatch-Kessab-churches-burned-and-graves-destroyed.html